United Nations Support to the Least Developed Countries

UNITED NATIONS SUPPORT TO THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES Prepared by UN-OHRLLS in advance of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was prepared by the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) per its mandate to serve as a focal point for the Fifth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) and to mobilize and coordinate the active involvement of the entire UN system (as requested in UN General Assembly 73/242).

Nathalie Risse is the lead author of this report under the direction of Tomas Manuel Gonzalez Alvarez and Margherita Musollino Berg. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Sandagdorj Erdenebileg and Susanna Wolf provided overall guidance. Comments and insightful reviews were received by Abdul Alim, Aniket Ghai, Americo Beviglia Zampetti, Miniva Chibuye and Yeshey Dorji, and from members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs (IACG) composed of 46 UN system entities and other related organizations (the complete list is provided below). It also benefited from the perspectives of UN Resident Coordinators in LDCs.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.

IACG members

Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Global Environment Facility (GEF) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) United Nations’ Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of Women (UN Women) International Labour Organization (ILO) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Monetary Fund (IMF) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change International Organization for Migration (IOM) (UNFCCC) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) International Trade Centre (ITC) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) (OHCHR) United Nations Office for South‐South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) The World Bank Group United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (TBLDC) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) World Health Organization (WHO) United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) World Meteorological Organization (WMO) United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Pacific (ESCAP) United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

i LIST OF MAIN ACRONYMS

African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States ACP UN Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD

African Union AU UN Convention to Combat Desertification UNCCD

Agencies, funds and programmes AFPs UN Country Teams UNCTs

Committee for Development Policy CDP UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs DESA

Common Fund for Commodities CFC UN Development Coordination Office DCO

Disaster Risk Reduction DRR UN Development Programme UNDP

Enhanced Integrated Framework EIF UN Economic and Social Council ECOSOC

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and ESCAP the Pacific Global Environment Facility GEF UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia ESCWA Information and communications technology ICT UN Economic Commission for Africa ECA Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the Implementation IACG of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs UN Economic Commission for Latin America and ECLAC the Caribbean Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) IATF UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment UN Women International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD of Women International Labour Organization ILO UN Environment Programme UNEP International Monetary Fund IMF UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC International Organization for Migration IOM UN General Assembly UNGA International Telecommunication Union ITU UN Human Settlements Programme UN-Habitat International Trade Centre ITC UN Industrial Development Organization UNIDO Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction UNDRR Landlocked Developing Countries LLDCs UN Office for Outer Space Affairs UNOOSA Least Developed Countries LDCs UN Office for Project Services UNOPS Least Developed Countries Fund LDCF UN Office for South‐South Cooperation UNOSSC Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises MSME UN Office of the High Representative for the UN-OHRLLS Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Official Development Assistance ODA Countries and Small Island Developing States

Office of the Special Adviser on Africa OSAA UN Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR UN Population Fund UNFPA

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and OECD UN Resident Coordinator RC Development World Tourism Organization UNWTO

Programme of Action for the LDCs for the Decade IPoA World Food Programme WFP 2011–2020 (also known as the Istanbul Programme World Health Organization WHO of Action) World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs World Meteorological Organization WMO Small Island Developing States SIDS World Trade Organization WTO UN Capital Development Fund UNCDF

UN Children's Fund UNICEF

ii FOREWORD

We soon approach the Fifth Conference on the Least are heavily reduced, foreign investment flows ebbed even Developed Countries (LDCs). We do so at a moment where further while already unsustainable debt burdens spiral. the COVID-19 pandemic brought and brings to the forefront It is now that we must extend support to the LDCs if we are the great challenge of our generation: how to tackle ever- determined to keep our promise to leave no one behind. This growing inequalities of all kinds to ensure a sustainable and will require increased investments and resources, strength- peaceful future for all? ened coordination, and greater action coherence. The United Nations remains a key partner of the LDCs. The United Nations for its part accelerates action toward a The UN system provides continued support across all priority more integrated approach to support LDCs. These ongoing areas of the Istanbul Programme of Action of the LDCs. efforts should contribute to a more effective and impactful United Nations on the ground. More than ever, it is the UN Country Teams acting as the frontline for this crucial work in countries where lingering Many organizations are now equipped with dedicated tech- and newly emerging structural constraints require special nical and budgetary mechanisms to support the LDCs. attention and support. Placing the LDCs at the core of their strategic planning ensures that their specific and often complex needs are ade- The Fourth UN Conference on the LDCs took place in 2011. quately addressed. Since then, our shared planet and the United Nations have At the same time, we must work on enhanced integration of experienced major changes, which will certainly continue global, regional, and national level work. into the foreseeable future. It is these concerns, these issues we must tackle with a In 2015, the global community, the Member States of the sense of urgency that drove the preparation of the report. United Nations, agreed on the 2030 Agenda for an inclusive and sustainable development for all. The promise was made The report is the result of a system-wide consultation with to leave no one behind. members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group (IACG) for the LDCs. The report maps the work of the United Nations While the work of the United Nations system in the LDCs system in identifying support measures for the LDCs but shows our steadfast commitment towards this noble aspira- most critically offers recommendations on how to further tion, we must recognize that considerable obstacles remain strengthen the contribution of the United Nations to the to make substantial progress in key areas that we must achievement of inclusive and sustainable development by make and all hope for. the LDCs and for the peoples of the LDCs. At the dawn of the Fifth Conference of the LDCs, we must As we now rapidly approach the Fifth UN Conference on the scale-up dedicated support and we must make faster LDCs, it is my sincere hope that you will find this document progress towards achieving the SDGs in the LDCs if we are useful and that it will contribute to a deepening of the sup- to meet the ambitions set out in the 2030 Agenda. port that the organization provides to its most vulnerable The peoples of the LDCs were already in a vulnerable position member states at such a critical juncture. before the pandemic. Beyond the human toll of COVID-19 given weak health systems and limited capacities, it is the immediate and future livelihoods of women, men, girls, and boys that are at stake. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu Formal and informal economic activities are severely impacted Under-Secretary-General through repeated lockdowns and border closures for trade and High Representative activities, household incomes through plunging remittances

iii TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements i List of main acronyms ii Foreword iii List of Tables, Figures and Boxes iv

Chapter 1: Introduction 01

Chapter 2: UN-OHRLLS mandate and support to the LDCs 02

Chapter 3: Methodology 03

Chapter 4: UN system support to the LDCs: a diversity of institutional and budgetary arrangements 05

4.1 Institutional mechanisms 05

4.2 Policy alignment 08

4.3 Budgetary allocation 09

Chapter 5: UN system support to the LDCs in line with the IPoA areas: a variety of measures 11 and best practices

5.1 Analysis of best practices at the systemic level 11

5.2 Analysis of best practices across the IPoA priority areas 17

5.3 Overview of best practices under each IPoA priority area 21

5.3.1 Productive capacity 21 I. Infrastructure 21 II. Energy 23 III. Science, technology and innovation 27 IV. Private sector development 30 5.3.2 Agriculture, food security and rural development 33 5.3.3 Trade 38 5.3.4 Commodities 42 5.3.5 Human and social development 44 I. Education and training 45 II. Population and primary health 47 III. Youth development 51 IV. Housing 55 V. Water and sanitation 56 VI. Gender equality and empowerment of women 58 VII. Social protection 64

iv TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

5.3.6 Multiple crises and other emerging challenges 65 5.3.7 Mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity-building 72 I. Domestic resource mobilization 73 II. Official development assistance 76 III. External debt 78 IV. Foreign direct investments 79 V. Remittances 82 5.3.8 Good governance at all levels 84

Chapter 6: Early action taken by members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the implementation 90 of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs to support the LDCs on COVID-19

6.1 Setting the context: UN comprehensive responses to COVID-19 90

6.2 Examples of support provided to the LDCs for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic 92

Chapter 7: Conclusion and recommendations 101

ANNEX 1: List of LDCs 104

ANNEX 2: Questionnaire disseminated to UN System 105

ANNEX 3: Survey administered to UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) in the 47 LDCs 122

v LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND BOXES

Table 1 List of UN system entities and other related organizations that provided contributions 4

Figure 1 Support provided to the IPoA areas based on responses from the questionnaire on 17 best practices on UN system support to the LDCs

Box 1 The Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation to improve coordinated UN system-wide 2 support to countries preparing to graduate from the LDC category

Box 2 UNFCCC’s support to the LDC Expert Group, as part of a multifaced approach to address 6 climate change adaptation

Box 3 Support provided to the LDCs by the Committee for Development Policy and its Secretariat 7

Box 4 UNIDO’s Operational Strategy for LDCs (2012–2020) 9

Box 5 Supporting LDCs through the Joint SDG Fund 12

Box 6 DESA, regional commissions and UNCTs joint project on supporting LDCs’ capacity 13 to develop evidence-based, coherent and well financed strategies to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

Box 7 Example of successful coordination initiatives at the national level led by Resident 14 Coordinators

Box 8 Examples of initiatives with strong inter-linkages between areas 18

Box 9 Examples of LDC in-country infrastructure projects that led to positive outcomes 22

Box 10 UN-OHRLLS’ support to sustainable energy access and investment in LDCs 24

Box 11 Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood in Nepal–UNDP-GEF 26

Box 12 Examples of UN system support on technology transfer 28

Box 13 Examples of UN programmes and projects related to private sector development 31

Box 14 Examples of Funds used by the UN System for private sector development 32

Box 15 Examples of programmes undertaken by the UN system on agriculture, food security 35 and rural development

Box 16 Examples of projects undertaken by the UN system on agriculture, food security 35 and rural development

Box 17 Tools to support the LDCs on trade 39

Box 18 Examples of IACG members’ projects on commodity support in LDCs 43

Box 19 Examples of trainings and education programmes in LDCs 47

Box 20 Examples of successful health-related support projects 48

Box 21 Examples of programmes for youth in Africa and Asia-Pacific 51

Box 22 Examples of youth related projects supported by organizations of the UN system 53

Box 23 Examples of tools made available by the UN system to assist youth in LDC 54

vi LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND BOXES (CONTINUED)

Box 24 UN-Habitat Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUS) 55

Box 25 Selected successful programmes and projects related to water and sanitation 57

Box 26 Examples of initiatives and programmes implemented by the UN system on gender 60 equality and women’s empowerment in LDCs

Box 27 Examples of projects implemented by the UN system on gender equality and women’s 61 empowerment in LDCs

Box 28 Examples of tools and reports on social assistance/protection 65

Box 29 Examples of UN system projects in LDCs to build resilience, and mitigate impacts 67 of economic shocks, climate change and other natural hazards

Box 30 Selected tools related to disaster risk reduction and management, and to strengthening 69 resilience

Box 31 Programmes and projects seeking to enhance sustainable growth and protect biodiversity 71

Box 32 Initiatives and programmes implemented by the UN system to support the LDCs on 74 domestic resource mobilization

Box 33 Examples of projects implemented by the UN system to support LDCs in the mobilization 75 of resources at the domestic level

Box 34 Initiatives carried out by UN system entities and other related organizations to helps the 77 LDCs on ODA

Box 35 UNCTAD’s Debt Management and Financial Analysis System 78

Box 36 The Investment Support Programme for LDCs 79

Box 37 Examples of UN system projects aiming to support LDCs on FDI 80

Box 38 Examples of capacity building measures on FDI 82

Box 39 ACP-EU Migration Action 83

Box 40 Examples of programmes and projects implemented by the UN system on governance 85 related issues

Box 41 Tools and frameworks developed by UN system entities and other related organizations 87 to support good governance in countries

Box 42 UN development system coordinated support on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic 91

Box 43 Coordinating efforts to address COVID-19 in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic 92

Box 44 CDP and EIF responses on COVID-19 in LDCs 93

Box 45 Providing support to e-commerce to tackle the COVID-19 crisis in Uganda-UNCDF and partners 95

vii 1. INTRODUCTION

The least developed countries are a group of 47 countries As the decade of implementation of the IPoA is getting characterized by severe structural impediments to sustain- to a close, preparations are underway for the Fifth UN able development. The LDC category was established by Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) that will the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1971 to take place in 2022 in Doha, Qatar. This report falls under the promote dedicated international support for the most vul- UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed nerable and disadvantaged members states. Since then, Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small four UN Conferences on the LDCs took place, with the last Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) mandate to serve as one leading to the adoption of the Programme of Action for a focal point for LDC5 and to mobilize and coordinate the the LDCs for the Decade 2011–2020 (also known as the active involvement of the entire UN system (as requested in Istanbul Programme of Action—IPoA). UNGA resolution 73/242). The report is not an evaluation regarding UN system’s support to the LDCs, but rather The present report discusses how UN system entities a survey of the work that the UN system has done in the and other related organizations (hereinafter collectively LDCs to serve as a contribution towards bringing coherence referred as UN system) organized themselves internally among UN system related entities. In this regard, it provides to support the LDCs, and provides an overview of how an overview of support measures carried out so far, and they have supported the LDCs in the context of the IPoA. outlines recommendations to strengthen support to the The report builds on best practices undertaken by the UN LDCs in the period of the next programme of action. system to support the efforts made by the LDCs in making progress towards the goals of the IPoA and the Sustainable The report will inform the discussions leading to LDC5, Development Goals (SDGs). It also highlights challenges especially to the high-level event to be convened at the faced by the UN system on the ground, and action needed Conference by the Secretary-General to ensure the full to strengthen its support in LDCs, benefiting also from mobilization of the UN system in support of the LDCs1. This perspectives shared by UN Resident Coordinators on how event should further galvanize the UN system in making the the UN system could best support the LDCs to advance the Decade of Action for SDGs2 especially true for the LDCs. SDGs. The report provides elements and recommendations that could strengthen the effectiveness of the UN system in promoting sustainable development progress in the LDCs by highlighting examples of collaborative action that had a positive and transformative impact on the ground. The broad array of activities undertaken by the UN system in the LDCs– comprising all the support measures and best practices shared by organizations, upon which this report is based– have been consolidated by UN-OHRLLS, and will be made available on the Office’s new website.

1 Pursuant to UNGA resolution 74/232, paragraph 50. 2 As called for in UNGA resolution 74/4.

1 2. UN-OHRLLS MANDATE AND SUPPORT TO THE LDCs

UN-OHRLLS has produced this report as part of its inter- country, regional and global levels. The Office has institu- governmental mandate to support, mobilize, coordinate and tionalized system-wide support, within the framework of the report on the implementation of the programme of action for Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the implementation of the LDCs. The Office assists LDCs in mobilizing international the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs (IACG), con- support and resources for the implementation of the IPoA vened twice a year, to build synergies among UN system and promotes their participation at the global and regional and other international organizations in the implementation policy levels. It further provides backstopping support to the of the Programme. It has also established the UN Inter- LDCs in the intergovernmental follow-up on and monitoring Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF)—presented of the IPoA, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in Box 1—to improve coordinated UN system-wide support the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Develop- to the countries preparing to graduate from the LDC cate- ment, and other global processes to ensure that high priority gory. Furthermore, UN-OHRLLS has collaborated with the continues to be given to the LDCs’ needs on these processes. UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) to establish Resident Coordinator networks for the LDCs, landlocked UN-OHRLLS assists the UN Secretary-General in ensuring developing countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the UN States (SIDS). These initiatives should help the UN work in a system in the follow-up and monitoring of the IPoA at the more collaborative and integrated manner.

Box 1. The Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation (IATF) to improve coordinated UN system-wide support to countries preparing to graduate from the LDC category

UN-OHRLLS created the IATF in 2017 with the objective to improve coordinated support for countries preparing to graduate from LDC status. The IATF is chaired by the UN-OHRLLS director, and meets twice a year and on a need-to basis. It is open-end- ed in principle but in practice, since its beginning, only a limited number of core IACG agencies, funds, programmes and UN secretariat departments with direct mandates impacting LDC graduation have attended its meetings and collaborated on its activities. The IATF meetings also provide an opportunity to representatives of graduating LDCs to discuss their priorities with the IATF members so as to work in concert and be better prepared for a smooth transition process.

Responding to Member States’ demands, the IATF’s primary goal is to effectively coordinate UN assistance to LDCs in the graduation pipeline by supporting their formulation of smooth transition strategies. This process calls for the IATF to clearly convey what graduation entails and to support a country’s graduation preparation based on its unique development needs and goals. The first two Joint UN Workshops on Graduation Support took place in the fall 2019 in Sao Tome and Príncipe and the Solomon Islands, both of which are scheduled to graduate in 2024. These workshops contributed to each country’s graduation process and were intended as one of many phases of UN support.

Within the UN system, the IATF aims to generate awareness and political support for graduating LDCs so that other countries understand the challenges that graduating countries face even after they are no longer classified as an LDC. By doing so, donor countries will have a deeper understanding of how to support a smooth and sustainable transition for graduating LDCs that will not disrupt the trajectory of their development.

Additionally, as the IPoA implementation period draws to a close, the IATF recognizes the coordinated agency support for LDCs is crucial during the transition to a new programme of action. The IATF is designed to be responsive to the unique needs of LDCs in the graduation pipeline and to boost collaboration between agencies, donors and graduating LDCs. Thus, the IATF looks forward to supporting graduating LDCs in the new decade ahead.

2 3. METHODOLOGY

This report is the result of a collaborative project with the Best practices are defined as success stories that have IACG, composed of 46 organizations. It also benefited from contributed to progress in the LDCs, for example: the collaboration of UN Resident Coordinators in LDCs. • Support measures that are replicable and have the The first phase of the project, that took place before the potential to scale across various LDCs. emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, involved the prepara- • Support measures that have contributed to concrete tion and dissemination of a questionnaire to IACG members. changes on the ground in line with the priorities of the The questionnaire (included in Annex 2) comprised questions IPoA or even more broadly in relation to SDGs. on UN system’s support to the LDCs and best practices • Successful joint support measures carried out in part- related to the eight priority areas of the IPoA3. It also includ- nership with other UN or non-UN organizations. ed questions on institutional arrangements, policy alignment, and specific budget allocation to support the LDCs. To take into account the diversity of support measures provided by the UN system, examples of best practices have The questionnaire was made available, on the UN- on 8 not been limited to programmes or projects, but were also January 2020, and IACG members were invited to complete extended to other types support that helped the LDCs ad- it and return it electronically by 7 February 2020. vance progress on sustainable development. Those include: 33 organizations (72%) provided contributions related to the funds; tools and methodologies (including online platforms, questionnaire (Table 1). All the best practices submitted by assessments); analysis and policy advice through reports, organizations were consolidated, and will be available on the notes, policy papers; guidelines, principles, frameworks; part- UN-OHRLLS website. nership initiatives; and learning courses and trainings.

3 Namely: productive capacity; agriculture, food security and rural development; trade; commodities; human and social development; multiple crises and other emerging challenges; mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity-building; and good governance at all levels.

Third grade students mastering literacy skills and acquiring new concepts during class at Norsup Primary School, Vanuatu. 3 Photo: Connor Ashleigh / AusAID Table 1. List of UN system entities and other related organizations that provided contributions

1. Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) 18. UN Economic and Social Commission for Western 2. Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Asia (ESCWA) 3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 19. UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Nations (FAO) 20. UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 4. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (UNESCO) 5. International Labour Organization (ILO) 21. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) 22. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 7. International Organization for Migration (IOM) (UNFCCC) 8. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 23. UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) 9. International Trade Centre (ITC) 24. UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 10. Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) 25. UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) 11. Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human 26. UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Rights (OHCHR) 27. UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) 12. UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) 28. UN Office for South‐South Cooperation (UNOSSC) 13. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 29. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 14. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 30. UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (DESA) 31. World Health Organization (WHO) 15. UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) 32. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 16. UN Development Programme (UNDP) 33. World Trade Organization (WTO) 17. UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

In addition to the administration of the questionnaire, UN- as top UN officials in the LDCs provides them with a vantage OHRLLS conducted a desk review to gather complementary point to understand the challenges and bottlenecks that im- information related to UN support for the LDCs, including in pact the quality of UN support in countries. Also, their func- the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and organized bi- tion of coordinators of the UN in-country support in each LDC lateral meetings with several officials from the UN system. and their close engagement with host authorities are vital to The meetings served to: explain the rationale of the project identify ways by which the UN system can better support as part of the process leading up to LDC5; clarify questions the LDCs. Accordingly UN-OHRLLS consulted UN Resident related to the questionnaire; and get additional information Coordinators on actions to accelerate solutions to deliver the on organizations’ contributions. Some officials were also SDGs in the LDCs, and; challenges faced by the UN system contacted by email to clarify answers and contributions on the ground. submitted to UN-OHRLLS. In order to gather these views, the Office invited RCs in UN Member States have requested the Secretary-General to LDCs to complete a survey on ‘How the UN system could ensure, as appropriate, UN Resident Coordinators’ (RCs) “full best support the LDCs to advance SDG implementation.’ The involvement” in the preparations for LDC54. RCs’ participa- survey (provided in Annex 3) was administered online, and tion–both in the Conference’s preparations and in the Con- was complemented by semi-structured interviews with a ference itself–is key for the success of LDC5. Their position selection of RCs.

4 Per UNGA resolution 73/242, paragraph 50.

4 4. UN SYSTEM SUPPORT TO THE LDCs: A DIVERSITY OF INSTITUTIONAL AND BUDGETARY ARRANGEMENTS

The IPoA (paragraph 33) calls on development partners to Other entities, such as DCO, ITC, ESCWA, UNDP, UNESCO integrate the IPoA into their respective cooperation policy and UNIDO have appointed LDC focal points, and these focal frameworks, programmes and activities, as appropriate, to points have different roles and responsibilities depending on ensure enhanced, predictable and targeted support to LDCs. the organization. For instance, UNDP has three focal points The sections below outline examples of institutional mech- at the global level and has focal points in its regional Bureaus anisms, policies and other measures taken by UN system and hubs5. entities and other related organizations to support the LDCs. In UNIDO, the regional Division for Africa serves as the LDC 4.1 Institutional mechanisms focal point. Its Regional Division for Asia and the Pacific, and the one for Latin America and the Caribbean, work closely Institutional mechanisms set up by UN system entities with the LDC focal point to provide inputs, comments, and and other related organizations are providing considerable update relevant data related to UNIDO’s working documents technical and budgetary support to the LDCs. A dedicated on the LDCs. ITC—the joint agency of the UN (through focus on LDCs facilitates the articulation of ideas and UNCTAD), and the WTO—uses a similar approach: its focal initiatives tailored to their specific structural constraints and point is based in the Office for Africa and liaises with other increase the chances of effective and impactful interventions. regional offices to follow-up on actions that ITC is delivering in LDCs. Various institutional set-ups have been put in place by the UN system to help LDCs make progress towards sustainable Among other organizational settings, some organizations also development. As such, some organizations have established support committees, working groups, or similar structures, that a specific internal structure (such as a Division, Section, Unit, focus on the LDCs. The WTO Development Division services or Office) to support the LDCs: the Sub-Committee on LDCs that discuss systemic issues

• ESCAP has a Section devoted to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. of interest to these countries, such as market access, technical assistance, LDC accessions, and the UN Programme of • The FAO has recently established the Office for Small Action for the LDCs, in line with the WTO Work Programme Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed for the LDCs. The Sub-Committee is mandated to consider Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries the mainstreaming of the trade-related elements of the IPoA (LLDCs)—OSL. into WTO’s work, as relevant to the Organization’s mandate. • ITU has a Division that focuses on capacity and skills development for developing countries with a priority UNFCCC supports the LDC Expert Group (LEG), which role on the LDCs. is to provide technical guidance and support to the LDCs on formulating and implementing national adaptation plans • UNCTAD has an LDC Section, as part of its Division (NAPs) and national adaptation programmes of action for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Pro- (NAPAs); and implementing the LDC work programme. The grammes. UNFCCC approach is multifaceted and ensures that LDCs • WIPO has a Division for LDCs. can develop plans that get implemented with clear funding • The WTO has an LDC Unit in its Development Division (Box 2). that provides institutional support to the LDCs, including technical support and policy advice for the effective participation of the LDC Group in the Organization.

5 Box 2. UNFCCC’s support to the LDC Expert Group (LEG), as part of a multifaced approach to address climate change adaptation

The UNFCCC supports LDCs through a set of interrelated mandates to address climate change adaptation, in direct response to Article 4, paragraph 9, of the Convention, which states that ‘’The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology’’. UNFCCC provides support through the following multifaceted approach:

• The LDC work programme under the UNFCCC which lists priority areas for support in relation to climate change.

• Preparation and implementation of NAPAs.

• The LDC Fund operated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support implementation of the LDC Work Programme including the NAPAs, and the formulation of NAPs (the latter being also financed by the Green Climate Fund GCF6).

• The LEG to provide technical guidance and support to the LDCs on the NAPAs and NAPs, and adaptation related areas of the LDC Work Programme and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

This approach has ensured that LDCs can develop plans that then get implemented with predictable funding. To date, more than USD 2 billion have been mobilized under the LDC Fund, while a growing amount of funds is being allocated by the GCF to the LDCs. Regular review by the Conference of the Parties (COP) through the biannual meetings of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation has also helped to identify and address bottlenecks and challenges that the LDCs face to access support.

In DESA, the Economic Analysis Policy Division serves as At the regional level, ESCAP supports the Special Body on the Secretariat for the Committee for Development Policy LDCs, LLDCs and Pacific Island Developing Countries, which (CDP). The members of the CDP review the list of LDCs meets annually at ESCAP’s annual session to discuss in an every three years, and advise the UN Economic and Social intergovernmental setting key issues to support sustainable Council (ECOSOC) and the UNGA on which countries should development in these groups of countries. be included in or graduated from the list (See Box 3 for more details on the CDP).

6 The process to formulate and implement NAPs was established in 2020 under the Cancun Adaptation Framework, mainly for LDCs, and funding has been made available for NAP formulation through a special window under the GCF. Each LDC (and other developing countries), can access up to USD 3 million for the formulation of NAPs.

6 Box 3. Support provided to the LDCs by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) and its Secretariat

The Committee for Development Policy (CDP) is a subsidiary body of ECOSOC. The CDP provides inputs and independent advice to the Council on emerging cross-sectoral development issues and on international cooperation for development, focusing on medium- and long-term aspects. Every three years, the Committee reviews the list of LDCs and advises ECOSOC and the UNGA on which countries should be included into or graduated from the list. It also monitors the countries that are graduating or have graduated from the list of LDCs and alerts ECOSOC of any sign of deterioration of their development progress. A detailed overview of the LDC category covering, inter alia, inclusion, graduation and LDC-specific special support measures, is provided in the Handbook on the LDC category.

The CDP is composed of 24 members nominated in their personal capacity by the UN Secretary-General and appointed by ECOSOC for three years. The composition of the CDP reflects a wide range of development experience as well as geographical and gender balance. The Committee meets once a year at the Plenary and subsequently submits its report to ECOSOC. De- tailed analysis and recommendations of the CDP are available in various publications.

A Secretariat in DESA supports the CDP, which provides substantive and administrative assistance to the Committee. While servicing meetings of the CDP, the Secretariat formulates and implements its own substantive work programme, including quantitative and qualitative analyses, particularly relating to the 2030 Development Agenda and the LDCs. It also carries out numerous capacity development activities in support of LDCs and countries graduating from the category.

In 2011, DESA launched the LDC Information Portal, which facilitates access to information on LDC specific international support measures. The portal provides users with all relevant information on international support measures in one single location. The portal structures support measures in three areas:

• Trade-related support that includes preferential market access, special and differential treatment under WTO rules and trade related technical assistance.

• Development assistance, that covers various modalities of bilateral and multilateral official development assistance (ODA) for LDCs, focusing on special initiatives, funds and programmes.

• General information about support measures related to UN funding of LDCs participation in multilateral events, caps on contributions to the budgets of multilateral organizations, among other items. • The CDP Secretariat, with the help and input of various international agencies and entities, also launched Gradjet, an online platform that helps government officials in LDCs to understand what it means to leave the LDC category and to plot a course for future action. The portal contains information on, inter alia, the various stages of graduation, suggestions about what to do at each stage, and important contact details.

Finally, there are a few programmes and funds established transformative investment through local governments and with the mandate to focus exclusively on the LDCs. The domestic banks in LDCs. It further mobilizes investments in EIF–a partnership of 51 countries, 24 donors, and eight local economies through the application of catalytic loans partner agencies, which has its Executive Secretariat at the and guarantees for SMEs and small investment projects that WTO–empowers LDCs to use trade and investment to inte- mitigate risks for public and private investors. grate into global trade to facilitate sustainable development and poverty reduction. The CFC finances projects addressing specific weaknesses of commodity-dependent developing countries, with particu- UNCDF helps make finance work for the poor and build lar focus on LDCs, and includes voting rights allocated with stable and resilient local economies in LDCs. With a presence preference to LDCs, which gives them a significant share in 31 LDCs, it provides capital and technical support through (24,5%) in the total voting power of the Fund. inclusive finance programmes, and promotes and supports

7 The recently established Technology Bank for the Least mies in transition. In addition, in 2018, the Broadband Developed Countries is mandated to enhance the contribu- Commission for Sustainable Development—established tion of science, technology and innovation to sustainable by ITU and UNESCO—set the target of reaching 35% of development in the LDCs. broadband-Internet user penetration in LDCs by 2025.

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s stra- 4.2 Policy alignment tegic plan 2020–2023 refers to the LDCs in some of its The IPoA (paragraph 153) invites the governing bodies of the UN expected outcomes and objectives. As such, through funds and programmes and other multilateral organizations, its Goal 4 (Close the capacity gap on weather, climate, including the Bretton Woods institutions and international hydrological and related environmental services), the financial institutions, to contribute to its implementation and plan seeks to lead to: an improved access to regional to integrate it into their work programmes, as appropriate and and global monitoring and prediction systems; and an in accordance with their respective mandates. improved utilization of weather, climate and water infor- About half of the IACG members’ frameworks made specific mation and services, in order to bring tangible benefits reference to the term “least developed countries” or to the IPoA. to developing Members, in particular LDCs, SIDS, and Member island territories. For instance: • UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2014–2021 spe- • The ESCAP programme plan for 2020, and the Regional cifically refers to the LDCs and the IPoA in its overarch- Roadmap on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific both highlight the importance of ing objectives and some of its strategic objectives. providing special attention to the needs of LDCs. Some entities have a strategic planning document that • The UNFPA strategic plan, 2018–2021 states that “the targets specifically the LDCs. UNIDO has developed an LDC organization will maintain and further leverage its Operational Strategy, 2012–2020, which is now under re- global presence in the LDCs, in low- and middle-income view (as indicated in Box 4). UNDP is considering developing countries, and in SIDS, with priority given to the LDCs an LDC strategy, and administers UNCDF7 which focuses that lag behind and that are vulnerable to conflict and primarily on LDCs. The UNCDF’s Strategic Framework 2018– natural disasters”. 2021 highlights support to the achievement of SDGs 1 (no • The WIPO’s medium-term strategic plan for 2016–2021 poverty) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) in LDCs by mak- outlines the need to enhance the quality of services ing finance work for inclusion, in collaboration with UNDP and delivered by the Organization in the field of development other UN partners. The WTO Work Programme for the LDCs cooperation, with a focus on the special needs of the (further detailed here) includes the mainstreaming of the LDCs, as one of its main orientations. trade-related elements of the IPoA into WTO’s work as a systemic issue of interest to the LDCs, which is monitored by the • The ITC’s Strategic Plan 2018–2021 highlights the WTO Sub-Committee on LDCs. The WMO LDCs programme Centre’s mission to enhance inclusive and sustainable seeks to enable the National Meteorological and Hydrolog- growth and development in developing countries, espe- ical Services (NMHSs) in LDCs to enhance both human and cially in LDCs, and countries with economies in transition, institutional capacities in order to eradicate poverty, achieve and adds that it will deliver at least 80% of its country-lev- internationally agreed development goals, and help countries el assistance in LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, small vulnerable graduate from the LDC category. Also, the latest EIF Strate- economies, post-conflict and fragile states, and sub- Saharan Africa. gic Plan (2019–2022) focuses on “Forging new paths for the Least Developed Countries in global and regional trade”. • ITU’s strategic plan 2020–2023 mentions the LDCs in some of its targets, including targets 2.2 and 2.4 related Although the whole UN system devotes part of its resources to access and use of the internet. It also notes that the to States that are most in need, a strong focus on LDCs in ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) strategic frameworks translates into a clear mandate for should, as an outcome, have improved access to and organizations to specifically target these countries in their use of information and communications technology work programmes (such as UNCTAD, ITC, WTO, WMO, WIPO, (ICT) in LDCs, SIDS, LLDCs, and countries with econo- UNCDF, EIF, and others).

7 As outlined in UNDP Strategic Plan 2018–2021.

8 Box 4. UNIDO’s Operational Strategy for LDCs (2012–2020)

Following the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs (UNLDC-IV), the high-level UNIDO LDC Ministerial Conference held on 24–25 November 2011 in Vienna, adopted the UNIDO LDC Operational Strategy (2012–2020) to support the implementation of the IPoA. The strategy’s goal is to enable LDCs “to promote sustainable sources of income and employment through productive capacities leading to inclusive growth, development and graduation from their current status.” It also defines two cross- cutting themes, three strategic objectives and–against each strategic objective–a series of operational interventions.

In 2019, UNIDO undertook a review of its Strategy to capture lessons learned and best practices from among the Organization’s portfolio in LDCs while implementing monitoring systems to better track progress towards impact in the future. This project (described in more details here) aims to address monitoring and reporting challenges and to assess UNIDO’s contribution to the implementation of IPoA. Based on the results of the review, and on evidence-based findings on the implementation and contribution of the Strategy, a final report will highlight recommendations for UNIDO and its partners as they develop their strategies for working with LDC Member States over the next 10 years.

UNIDO also organized eight editions of the Ministerial Conference of the LDCs, which adopted eight Ministerial Declarations. Within the latest Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration of the LDCs, Member States commended UNIDO’s efforts to undertake a review of its Operational Strategy on LDCs, noting that this exercise was a significant contribution to the evaluation of the IPoA and the impetus towards the next programme of action.

4.3 Budgetary allocation One of the difficulties in assessing UN support to the Budgetary allocations can have a strong influence on LDCs is to obtain data on budgetary allocation. While policy choices and priorities, and are critical to ensure the the questionnaire contained a specific question on this implementation of policy and support measures. Since the subject, a minority of those who responded noted they adoption of the IPoA, UN Member States have emphasized allocated funding to the LDCs either as part of their core the need for the UN system to prioritize budgetary allocations funding, non-core funding of both. In few instances (e.g. CFC, to the LDCs through various resolutions8. Again in 2019, they EIF, ILO, ITC, UNCDF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNIDO, ITU, and WTO), urged the UN development system to continue to prioritize organizations explicitly indicated the amount of budgetary allocations to the LDCs by developing operational guidelines, resources dedicated to LDCs, but this was more often while reaffirming that the LDCs, as the most vulnerable the case of entities that have a strong focus on LDCs. For group of countries, need enhanced support to overcome example, UNDP reported that it allocates 85% to 91% of its structural challenges that they face in implementing the regular resources to low-income countries, and at least 60% 2030 Agenda9. In resolution E/RES/2019/3, Member States of total resources to the LDCs, as mandated by its Executive noted that the share of expenditure for operational activities Board. Similarly, UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 Business for development of the UN system in the LDCs, had reached Model allocates 56-60% of regular resources for country 47.7% of total expenditures at the country level in 2017, a programming in LDCs. UNCDF noted that 86% of core and decrease from 51% in 2012. The 2020 UN Secretary-General total country-level programme expenditures (excluding local report on the implementation of resolution 71/243 on the resources) are in LDCs, and the ITC indicated that it targets quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational 50% of its country-specific annual budget for LDCs, and that activities for development (QCPR) indicates that, of the USD it dedicated more than 57% of the budget to supporting in 26.5 billion of total country-level expenditures in 2018, USD 2019, although there is no specific envelop devoted to these 12.6 billion (48%), were spent in LDCs. However, only 44% of countries. In the latest call for proposals, the UN Joint SDG all expenditure in development activities were in LDCs. Fund (more detailed later in this report), has introduced a

8 For instance, ECOSOC resolution 2018/26, and UNGA resolution 71/243. 9 Per ECOSOC resolution on the ‘Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020’ of June 2019 (E/RES/2019/3), paragraph 14.

9 Farmers are being taught new farming methods in Afghanistan. Photo: Rumi Consultancy/ World Bank

minimum threshold for countries in special circumstances, technical training and capacity development workshops, including LDCs. and offers travel support for delegations from LDCs to participate in Global and Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk UN system entities and other related organizations outlined Reduction. Similarly, WTO indicated that since 1996, LDCs a diversity of financial and technical support to LDCs. For have been receiving travel support for participating in the instance, OHCHR noted that since 2012, a Voluntary Tech- WTO Ministerial Conferences, which take place every two nical Assistance Trust Fund supports the participation of years. UNCTAD finances the participation of LDC represen- LDCs and SIDS in the work of the Human Rights Council. tatives (typically two delegates per LDCs) in its quadrenni- The IAEA indicated that it provides its assistance to LDCs al ministerial Conferences. Others, such as ITU and UNIDO mainly through its Technical Cooperation Programme, the provide budgetary assistance to fund projects, and opera- main mechanism through which it delivers services to its tional or programmatic activities, among other initiatives. Member States, which combines specialized technical and development competencies. UNOPS specified that since it is Organizations with clear institutional arrangements and a self-financing entity with a demand-driven business model, dedicated budgets to support the LDCs (e.g. UNCDF, CFC, the organization does not receive core or non-core funding, UNFPA, UNIDO, EIF, ITU, WIPO) invest considerable resourc- but instead implements projects on a fee-for-service basis. es and capacity in these countries. In some other instances, As such, any work in LDCs is initiated and completed in line however, it is unclear whether they provide support on a with partner demand. The IMF noted that it provides conces- case-by-case basis, or following clear priorities and a struc- sional lending through the Poverty Reduction and Growth tured approach that takes into consideration the specific Trust (PRGT). structural constraints faced by the LDCs.

On initiatives supported, UNDRR reported that it provides specific budgetary allocation to LDCs to attend UNDRR

10 5. UN SYSTEM SUPPORT TO THE LDCs IN LINE WITH THE IPOA AREAS: A VARIETY OF MEASURES AND BEST PRACTICES

5.1 Analysis of best practices at the systemic methodologies (including online platforms, assessments); (or cross-sectoral) level analysis and policy advice through reports, notes, policy papers; guidelines, principles, frameworks; networks, and UN system entities and other related organizations submitted multi-stakeholder/partnership initiatives; and learning courses more than 300 different examples of best practices in their and trainings. contributions related to the questionnaire. Some of them are very detailed, and include a description of the impact they The report outlines concrete examples of best practices in had on the ground (e.g. changes they brought in the lives each of these categories. of people in LDCs). Others are more general and provide a broad description of support measures or initiatives carried Many best practices are examples of joint initiatives to out in LDCs, in other developing countries or globally (with support the LDCs (either joint UN system initiatives, initia- a view that these are also of interest for the LDCs). The tives carried out by the UN system in collaboration with complete list of examples submitted by organizations will be governments, the private sector, NGOs or other stakehold- made available on the UN-OHRLLS website. ers, or broad partnerships involving several UN and non-UN entities). This suggests the existence of collaborative work B a s e d o n t h e r e s p o n s e s a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i ve d f r o m t h e U N to build synergy and complementarity of action in the LDCs. system, it is possible to distinguish the following categories of The joint SDG Fund (presented in Box 5) is an example of measures to support the LDCs: initiatives, funds, programmes, partnership work, involving the UN system, and organiza- projects at various levels (international, regional, national); tools, tions at the regional, national and sub-national levels.

Women in Nepal assist in upgrading of the local road networks for the access to all-weather transport connectivity. 11 Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO Box 5. Supporting LDCs through the Joint SDG Fund

The UN Joint SDG Fund (presented in more details here) helps countries as they accelerate their progress toward the SDGs. The Fund serves as an international multi-donor and multi-agency development mechanism to support sustainable development activities through integrated and multidimensional joint programmes. The transformative joint programmes are supported under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinators. The coordination and technical support of the Fund is the responsibility of the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat, hosted by DCO. As of 2020, the Fund had an active portfolio under the Call for social protection/ leaving no one behind, and the Call on SDG financing (more detailed below).

Social protection/leaving no one behind

In March 2019, the Joint SDG Fund launched a call for proposals on integrated policy with a focus on leaving no one behind and social protection. Out of 114 proposals submitted, 35 were approved based on an independent expert assessment, 10 of which are from LDCs (three in Asia-Pacific, and seven in Africa). These proposals were developed in a participatory manner with key stakeholders into full joint programmes through an iterative process, and approved by the end of 2019. The joint programmes were launched by January 2020. The overall investment into the portfolio of 35 joint programmes is USD 70 million for two years.

The joint programmes leverage social protection as a powerful accelerator that catalyzes progress toward the SDGs, while focusing on specific vulnerable groups that are left behind or at risk of being left behind. The theories of change forthe programmes are based on the assumption that social protection plays a key role in accelerating progress towards the SDGs by addressing vulnerabilities and risks. All joint programmes are expected to deliver results at scale by January 2022. Their implementation is led by national governments and supported by 15 UN agencies, funds and programmes, and two Regional Commissions, and involve more than 600 partners, including national and local authorities, civil society organizations, trade unions, associations of employers, IFIs, and the private sector.

SDG financing

The first Call on SDG financing—for a total envelope of USD 100 million—is a call for action to the UN system under two components, namely: i) reinforce the SDG financing architecture (including financing strategies and enabling frameworks for SDG investment, strengthened capacities of the SDG financing institutions, and better public-private partnerships and dialogues on SDG investing); and ii) catalyze strategic investments in key initiatives that can leverage public and private financing for the SDGs (with the view to demonstrate the concept, and be scalable). In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, 258 proposals were submitted from more than 100 countries, reflecting a UN systemic response to accelerate the achievements of the SDGs at the time of the pandemic. The call was closed on 31 March, 2020.

In June 2020 the UN Joint SDG Fund announced a USD 60 million grant to close the SDG financing gap. The multi-year commitment is considered the largest systemic UN led initiative on SDG financing in its history. With funding to be distributed across all continents under its Component 1 (SDG financing architecture), 40% will be invested in LDCs. The massive participation of LDCs in the Call suggest the importance of this agenda for this constituency. The UN Joint SDG Fund awarded 28 proposals under Component 2 (catalytic investments) with preparatory funding in July 2020, 8 of which from LDCs. On the latter, out of 155 proposals, over a third (58) came from LDCs. More information is available here. On October 6th, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, launched the virtual investment roadshow to present the opportunities this portfolio brings. Five thematic investor advisory groups were activated in the following “Investment Week” to act as a sounding board, help co-create an impact driven pipeline of deals and facilitate synergies and co-investment opportunities.

12 Box 6. DESA, regional commissions and Also, about one fourth of best practices explicitly make link- UNCTs joint project on supporting LDCs’ ages between LDCs support measures and the SDGs, to help capacity to develop evidence-based, countries make progress towards the 2030 Agenda and its coherent and well financed strategies Goals. For instance, DESA, together with relevant regional to implement the 2030 Agenda and the commissions and UN country teams (UNCTs), is implement- SDGs ing a project in four LDCs of Africa and Asia to strengthen their capacity in developing strategies to implement the DESA, in collaboration with relevant regional com- 2030 Agenda and the SDGs (See Box 6). missions, and UNCTs is implementing a project in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, the Lao People’s Democratic Support measures provided by UN system entities and other Republic, and the United Republic of Tanzania to related organizations not only use a “top down” approach but strengthen LDCs’ capacity to develop evidence-based, also a “bottom up” one by assisting LDCs in bringing their coherent and well-financed strategies to implement invaluable expertise to the global policy arena. This is illus- the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. trated by coalitions and networks that bring together LDCs, For example, in Ethiopia, the DESA Statistics Division along with other government officials from developed and is supporting revision of the Statistical Act, and in- developing countries, the UN system and other stakehold- vited government counterparts from Bangladesh ers. Examples of such initiatives include the Coalition for to participate in the kick-off event for the “Data for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), for which UNDRR Now” initiative. In Lao People’s Democratic Republic, serves as Secretariat, or the Global Judicial Integrity Network workshops took place to strengthen the capacity of supported by UNODC. the government to carry out meaningful engagement Another example is the strengthening, by WTO Members, with all relevant stakeholders in the follow-up and of the LDC Accession Guidelines to further facilitate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The workshops accession process of LDCs. Since 2011, six LDCs have identified stakeholders that could be involved in the successfully completed the accession process and joined development of the Laos National Socio-Economic the WTO (bringing the number of WTO LDC Members to 36), Development Plan (NSEDP) and developed recom- and there are eight LDC Members in the accession process mendations on opportunities to institutionalize stake- (Bhutan, Comoros, Ethiopia, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, holder engagement in the process. South Sudan, Sudan, and Timor-Leste). UNCTAD provides In the United Republic of Tanzania and Ethiopia, the technical assistance to WTO acceding LDCs to assist them development of the statistical legislation and quality to prepare their negotiating positions and submissions, and assurance framework was supported, in order to raise awareness of the preferential LDC treatment in the create the enabling conditions for the country to WTO. Also, every year, DESA, regional commissions and apply credible non-traditional data sources (such as UNDP support LDCs to prepare their Voluntary National administrative, citizen-generated and research data) Reviews (VNRs)–a mechanism at the global level that for tracking SDG and national development targets. offers an opportunity for peer learning, and for promoting The project is supported by the 2030 Agenda for accountability on SDG implementation at the UN High-level Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the UN Peace Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). and Development Trust Fund. Funding to support participation of LDC officials in global meetings is key to allow LDCs’ participation in global decision- making, and peer learning processes. Good examples include the WTO’s travel support for LDCs’ participation in the biennial WTO Ministerial Conferences, UNCTAD’s funding for the participation of two delegates per LDCs in its quadrennial ministerial Conferences, or the OHCHR Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to encourage the participation of LDCs and SIDS in the work of the Human Rights Council10.

10 Since it became operational in 2014, the Trust Fund has supported has supported 153 delegates (including 95 women) coming from 71 to 72 LDCs/SIDS eligible. 13 Also, UN-OHRLLS provides financial support to officials and partnerships between LDC governments, civil society, from all 47 LDCs to participate in various key inter- the private sector, international organizations, developed governmental processes. It facilitates dialogue at the global and developing countries, and stakeholders to mobilize re- and regional levels in priority issues for the LDCs, supports sources. The efforts to strengthen the capacities of resident a network of government officials–the LDC National Focal coordinator offices for increasing strategic planning, poli- Points on IPoA implementation–and facilitates their inputs cy support (particularly for economics and SDG financing), into global policy processes. scaled up partnerships, joined-up communications and bet- Strengthening resource mobilization to help the LDCs accel- ter monitoring, evaluation and reporting are a crucial step erate progress at the country level to accelerate progress is to enhance resource mobilization and implement effective crucial for the implementation of the SDGs. The UN at the programmes in the LDCs. country level can play a catalytic role to facilitate dialogues

Box 7. Example of successful coordination initiatives at the national level led by Resident Coordinators

The Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund

A Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund was set up in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to mobilize resources for financing coordinated SDG interventions in the country. The Fund seeks to support UN interagency or cross cutting agency priorities that have a bearing on the national priorities with the greatest ability to accelerate SDGs through joined up implementation on the ground. It complements other existing resources by: i) providing targeted resources for multi-agency initiatives that strengthen national capacities for integrated policy; ii) developing the country’s SDG financing ecosystem; iii) implementing catalytic SDG programming and investments; and iv) ensuring effective and sustainable development results at national and sub-national levels. The Fund is being implemented in a collaborative manner under the leadership of the Government of Malawi. More information on the Fund is available here.

The Round Table Process in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Round Table Process co-chaired by the UN and the Government, supports the design and implementation of the country’s national development plans, and seeks to ensure that funds, time and knowledge bring maximum impact in development across the country. The process involves the UN, other development partners, countries and other stakeholders (including the private sector). Implementation meetings are held every year to take stock of progress made in the past year and to set joint priorities for the coming year.

The Round Table Process includes 10 Sector Working Groups to coordinate actions among various stakeholders by theme. The groups serve as key links between local progress and national plans and policies. They cover health, education, governance infrastructure, macroeconomics, trade and the private sector, mine action, illicit drug control, agriculture and rural development, and natural resource management and the environment. A number of Sub-Sector Working Groups provide additional platforms for coordination around specific priorities within the sectors. The process is guided by globally agreed principles on effective development cooperation, including: government ownership of development priorities and plans; a focus on results; inclusive development partnerships; and transparency and accountability to one another. More information on this process is available here.

14 Challenges faced by UN system entities and other related unpredictability related to hazards affect the effectiveness of organizations to support the LDCs UN interventions in countries. LDCs also face high levels of

Despite of UN system’s action towards LDC progress, differ- disaster risk, and need increased support in understanding ent types of difficulties impact the effectiveness of UN system this risk, including its systemic nature, and the potential for support in these countries. One of the most common challeng- cascading impacts across sectors. es mentioned is the financial one. Several respondents to the LDC5 and the next LDC programme of action present oppor- questionnaire noted that there are limited resources available tunities to find ways to address these challenges. In addition to carry out activities in support of LDCs, and a high depen- to replicating and scaling up best practice, addressing UN dency on extra-budgetary projects instead of core resources. system bottlenecks to assist the LDCs is essential for accel- UNCDF remarked that its regular (core) resources fall signifi- erating these countries’ progress towards sustainable devel- cant below its targeted budgetary allocation, and that this low opment by 2030. A key finding arising from the question- level of core contributions hampers the organization’s ability naires and the collected evidence points to the crucial role to strengthen its country level presence and to fully meet the that explicit recognition of the category of LDCs has for the demands of LDCs to “deliver the catalytic innovations needed effectiveness of the UN system in these countries. The first to unleash financing for SDG achievement.” step towards addressing the unique structural constraints

UNIDO pointed to the lack of timely access to the mobilized faced by the LDCs passes by their explicit recognition in UN resources, adding that if various sources of funds are used, key strategic documents and by the design of interventions delays in bank transfer often appear. While some respon- that take these special needs into account. dents said their organization had no specific budget or The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework programme dedicated to the LDCs, UNDP noted the impor- (Cooperation Framework), introduced through the recent tance of making a deliberate effort to support the LDCs and reform brought to the UN development system, supports to mobilize funding. joint UN programming to support countries (including the The absence of mention of LDC support in some of the orga- LDCs) based on their national priorities. Enhancing coor- nizations’ mandate and policies, and the lack of a specific dination between UN agencies, funds and programmes at institutional mechanism to work with the LDCs constitutes a the national level is benefiting from the early efforts of the barrier to provide effective assistance to the LDCs. Recogni- new resident coordinator system. In addition, strengthen- tion of the special needs of the LDCs from the top governing ing the link between the global, regional and national levels and executive bodies of UN entities will lead to greater atten- can help to bring the reality of the LDCs to the regional and tion of the unique needs of the LDCs in their programmes headquarters levels and the UN Country Teams could also of work. Better coordination and sharing of information on capitalize on global agendas to support their work on the existing programmes in support of LDCs within and across ground. Continuing efforts to engage all stakeholders at the UN system, and between UN and other non-UN entities the national level can contribute to translate the SDGs into is also crucial. operational sectoral policies at the national and local levels; strengthen the effectiveness of mechanisms or policies put Capacity constraints, including insufficient institutional, in place to implement the Goals; and enhance SDG owner- human and statistical capacities in LDCs to fully engage ship by government agencies and development actors. In in UN initiatives, implement them, and ensure monitoring post-conflict or conflict LDCs, UN collaboration with nation- and follow-up, limit the effectiveness of the UN system in al officials is critical to support weak state institutions. supporting the LDCs. The crippling infrastructure gap in Implementing the SDGs requires require better coordina- many LDCs hinders the ability to provide interventions, espe- tion among development partners (including the UN) and cially when the special needs and structural constraints of ministries and departments at the national level. Some LDC LDCs are not explicitly recognized at the strategic frame- governments have institutionalized mechanisms to orches- work level. Procuring equipment and technologies, in terms trate smooth and integrated action among governmental of relatively high local costs compared to the international actors, donors and multilateral organizations. Ensuring the market, and logistical complexity as a result of landlocked- adequate function of coordination mechanisms requires, ness, remoteness, long delivery time, poor import and export however, concerted effort and commitment by LDCs, multi- capacities and geographical constraints create additional lateral actors and development partners. Improvements in challenges. Other factors, including political instability, and coordination should go hand in hand with institutional and

15 policy measures for SDG implementation including a financ- level. It represents a compact between the United Nations ing strategy, that encourages a link between development development entities and host Governments and promotes planning and financing. an approach that is centered around national ownership, anchored in national development priorities, and co-de- Accountability of commitments by development partners signed and co-signed by the UN development system and is also crucial to address the gap in the resources required the Government. The Framework outlines the UN develop- to fund SDG implementation. Improving technical management system’s contributions sought by national stakehold- ment of some LDCs and strengthening national institutions ers to reach the SDGs, and guides the planning, implementa- is crucial. Insufficient use of the LDC category constitutes a tion, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of UN programmes challenge that limits resource availability, particularly when in countries. The implementation of the UNDS reform is in resources are allocated solely on the basis of income with- full swing in many LDCs. In six LDCs in Africa12 the imple- out taking into consideration low human development or mentation of the new Cooperation Frameworks started at high vulnerability. the beginning of 2020. Other inclusive formal consultation The quality and quantity of aid delivered in relation to inter- mechanisms involving the UN, countries, and other partners national commitments and the scale of development financ- have also been put in place in some LDCs to discuss prog- ing for LDCs falls short of the ambitious levels required to ress towards national development priorities and the SDGs, achieve the SDGs. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of and to ensure coherence of action. The new Cooperation effort going into strengthening national systems to better Framework, together with the newly established resident use external support for development assistance. Getting coordinator system represents an essential step towards support from, or coordinating with, non-resident agencies is enhancing coordination, effectiveness and impact of UN sometimes challenging in some LDCs. Statistical capacity action in the LDCs. remains a crucial area for LDCs. Generating disaggregated Cross-border collaboration can bring positive results in data aligned with SDGs targets and indicators can contribute crucial areas such migration, peace building, and trade. to increase the effectiveness of development efforts at the Supporting regional and cross-borders initiatives, and national level in the LDCs. enhancing cooperation between the LDCs and their neigh- The UN reform brings new opportunities to address dupli- boring countries will be key to make sustainable develop- cation of efforts, and to work towards a more streamlined ment progress. Greater cross-border and regional coopera- and coherent engagement across the UN system. Stronger tion could be achieved through a variety of actions. Thematic collaborations between the UN at various levels of the UN coordination committees at the global level on topics such was particularly important in LDCs given capacity constraints as regional transhumance, which should comprise represen- of national institutions. tatives of transhumant populations. Fostering cross-border civil society alliances can contribute to promote synergies. In line with the reform of the UN development system, cross- Cross-border frameworks, legislation and agreements can pillar engagement between humanitarian, development and help address sustainable development issues in a more peace actors is essential to achieve meaningful progress in effective manner. Mobilization of resources could also many LDCs UN joint analysis, planning, programming, and benefit from cross-border collaboration related to, inter alia, joint funding mechanisms to build better integrated respons- the prevention of conflict and violent extremism, traffick- es in LDCs. Common country analyses “prepared by UN coun- ing, trade, water and natural resource management, and try teams are important instruments to better understand the climate change adaptation. In addition, more engagement social, political, environmental and economic situations of from influential countries at the regional level (e.g. trade and LDCs, and use these analyses as a basis to design interven- investment partners) in the LDC graduation process would tions that support SDG achievements of the 2030 Agenda. be beneficial to discuss the role and importance of LDCs’ This whole paragraph is revised to: The Cooperation Frame- neighbors as part of a smooth transition. The UN at the work11 is the new principal planning and implementation global level could facilitate such discussions. instrument of the UN development system at the country

11 The Report of the Secretary-General “Implementation of General Assembly resolution 71/243 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system” A/75/79–E/2020/55 30 April 2020 12 Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone.

16 5.2 Analysis of best practices across the IPoA with the fact that many UN system entities and other related priority areas organizations seem to work cross-sectorally.

Based on the IACG contributions received, all the IPoA areas, UNDP–in some instances, in collaboration with partners– and all the LDCs are supported by the UN system. carried out many projects that linked several IPoA areas, or

As showed in Figure 1, the IPoA areas that are most covered SDGs. These include the UNDP Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) in Sudan (described later are related to UN support to gender equality and empower- in Box 16), the Emergency Crisis Response Project (ECRP), ment of women, youth development, good governance at all and UNDP’s work on addressing the risk of climate-induced levels, and domestic resource mobilization. The ones that disasters through enhanced national and local capacity for are less covered are external debt, remittances and housing. effective actions in Bhutan. These two latter initiatives are These results might however be biased by the fact that not outlined in Box 8, along with examples of cross-sectoral all IACG organizations responded to the questionnaire or to initiatives carried out by other organizations. its entirety.

Several best practices under each of the IPoA priority areas often make linkages with other areas. This is in coherence

Figure 1. Support provided to the IPoA areas based on responses from the questionnaire on best practices on UN system support to the LDCs

Number of answers for earch question, by question

Gender equality and empowerment of women

Youth development

Good governance at all levels

Domestic resource mobilization

Overcoming climate change effects

Education and training

Infrastructure

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)

Trade

Eradicating hunger

Private sector development

Population and primary health

Resilience to economic shocks

Commodities

Food safety and emergency assistance

Energy

Sustainable growth and biodiversity

Investment in rural infrastructure

Social protection

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

Water and sanitation

Official development assistance (ODA)

Housing

Remittances

External dept

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Yes Not yet (in planning stage) N/A No No answer

17 Box 8. Examples of initiatives with strong inter-linkages between areas

Addressing the risk of climate-induced disasters through enhanced national and local capacity for effective actions in Bhutan: In line with the Bhutan’s tenth 5-year plan, and guided by the long-term development vision of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and ‘Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness,’ UNDP supported Bhutan on increasing national, local and community capacity to prepare for and respond to climate-induced multi-hazards.

Funded by the GEF (through the Least Developed Countries Fund–LDCF), and coordinated by the National Environment Commission Secretariat in partnership with UNDP Bhutan, the project involved: protecting areas prone to landslides along Reldri School in Phuntsholing and Barsa Watershed at Pasakha using Geotech methodologies and bioengineering measures; monitoring landslide in six sites along southern regions; and implementing activities related to climate resilient water harvesting such as the construction of three water reservoirs with pipelines to reachable households, the installation of rainwater systems, and tree plantation around water sources.

Positive outcomes of the project include: slope stabilization through plantation; a decrease in communicable diseases; improvement in regular hygiene; an increase of student attendance in the schools, due to the fact that they no longer have to travel long distances to fetch water; some improvement in retaining youth in the villages (in terms of rural urban migration); an increase in income of villagers due to availability of water for economic activities; a revived water source and improved access to markets including microfinance; and women’s involvement in decision-making, as most of the water user groups are led by women.

Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen (ERRY): ERRY is a joint programme funded by the European Union and implemented by four participating UN organizations, namely FAO, ILO, UNDP and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The programme (more detailed here) aims to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of crisis-affected rural communities in four governorates to better manage local risks and shocks through improving community productive capacities, economic and livelihoods opportunities. It also supports the application of sustainable solar energy across rural communities for a wide range of basic services such as health, education, drinking water, and social productive assets.

As of 2018, the initiative had helped 2,549 youth, women and marginalized people establish micro-businesses, and 30% of the USD 2,294,100 worth of micro-businesses created belonged to women. ERRY also enabled communities to rely on themselves and to improve their livelihood through better access to solar energy. Among other outcomes: local health centers have reopened and lives have been saved because lab services are powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems; children in the community can be vaccinated and immunized at the local health facility since it has a refrigerator that can store adequate supplies for two months; drinking water is available within 20 minutes instead of having to wait for one-and-a-half hours; and people can protect themselves against cholera and other deadly water-borne diseases because clean water is pumped by solar energy. More information on solar interventions under ERRY is available here.

Yemen Emergency Crisis Response Project (ECRP): Following a period of political crisis and social and economic instability in 2011–2014, Yemen was affected by a violent and protracted conflict which is still not resolved.

According to this UNDP publication, Yemen is part of one of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with 24.1 million Yemenis (over 80% of the population) in need of urgent assistance and protection; over 3.3 million people displaced; and elevated risks of famine and disease epidemics affecting large parts of the country. Economic conditions have significantly deteriorated due to insecurity and the disruption of markets, while provision of essential social services such as education and health have been interrupted, compounding the economic impacts of the conflict.

In 2015, UNDP and the World Bank, collaborated with the Yemen-based Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the Public Works Project (PWP) to secure the provision of a range of critical services to vulnerable Yemeni populations and communities. The project worked to ensure that small businesses(e.g. farmers, fishermen, midwives, grocery stores and pharmacies)that are on the verge of collapse, have access to financing and continue operating. As a result, the existing capacities of the

18 SFD and PWP have been leveraged to generate job opportunities for the repair of key basic services (such as water supply systems, paving feeder roads to provide safe access to health care and food, and rebuilding damaged schools for students to continue their education).

Strengthening human rights and gender equality through climate change action and disaster risk reduction: UNEP and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) are implementing a project on strengthening human rights and gender equality through climate change action and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in two LDCs (Bangladesh and Cambodia). The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of national governments, CSOs, regional institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that investments in climate change and DRR adopt human rights approaches and are gender responsive. The project also enables women to become leaders in the transition to renewable energy, which contributes to climate-resilient livelihoods and allows them to take part in decision making process at national and sectoral levels.

OHCHR’s report ‘The Other Infrastructure Gap: Sustainability–Human Rights and Environmental Perspectives:’ Published in partnership with the Heirich Böll Stiftung in 2018, the report analyzes opportunities and challenges of mega-infrastructure projects, the human rights and environmental impacts of mega-infrastructure, legal frameworks governing international investment and the shifting landscape of infrastructure finance. The OHCHR is currently studying the implementation of the report’s recommendations in LDCs where it has field presences. These recommendations include: ensuring that project selection and design are consistent with the host country’s national development plan and international human rights and environmental commitments; integrating human rights criteria within universal standards for sustainable, accessible, affordable and resilient quality infrastructure; ensuring that all relevant public and private actors involved in infrastructure carry out human rights due diligence to inform and improve decision-making; and addressing the environmental and human rights risks associated with the investor protection regime comprised of international investment agreements, national investment laws and state-investor contracts.

Linking trade and agriculture strategies: Agricultural policy and trade-related strategies are too often framed as two separate processes. Weak linkages between trade and agriculture policy-making processes can result in diverging views on the national priorities for agricultural trade development. The WTO Agreement on Agriculture provides a framework for the long-term reform of agricultural trade and domestic policies, with the aim of leading to fairer competition and a less distorted sector. The agreement allows for important policy flexibility to LDCs given the role of agriculture in the LDC economies.

Furthermore, the EIF helps improving the cross-sectoral linkages and the coherence of agriculture and trade-related policies, strategies and investment plans in LDCs. At the invitation of the FAO, the EIF worked with the Organization in an effort to mainstream trade into agriculture strategies (and vice versa). This follows a strategic initiative from the FAO to increasingly use its Country Programming Frameworks to mainstream trade into national agriculture planning processes and provide the relevant technical assistance to countries to ensure that policies, strategies and agreements are more supportive of agricultural development and food security objectives.

Addressing the complex and interlinked challenges of the Lake Chad and its basin: The Lake Chad and its basin is home to more than 45 million people and is shared between Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and Chad. In 2018, UNESCO and the Lake Chad Commission launched the BIOsphere and Heritage of Lake Chad (BIOPALT) initiative, an integrated multidisciplinary and multidimensional project addressing the complex and interlinked environmental, socio- economic and security related challenges of the Lake Chad and its basin. The project includes a wide range of activities from setting up an early warning system for droughts and floods to promoting income-generating activities through the promotion of green economy and the valorization of the basin’s natural resources. In Niger specifically, the income generated activities implemented through the project strengthened the socio-economic resilience of nearly 30,000 people, including 13,000 women. The project created jobs, improved food security in vulnerable communities, and contributed effectively to poverty reduction.

19 Financing transboundary and multi-sectoral water cooperation through the Blue Peace Financing Initiative: UNCDF in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development (SDC) and the Geneva Water Hub (GWH), is implementing the Blue Peace Financing Initiative, which introduces an innovative way of financing transboundary and multi-sectoral water cooperation. The overall aim of the Initiative is to transform water from a potential source of crisis into a potential instrument of cross-border cooperation and peace.

The Blue Peace Financing pilot phase is starting in the Gambia River Basin, shared by four countries (The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal) with a population of 28 million inhabitants, including more than 6 million in the three watersheds of the Gambia river. The four countries have agreed, at the ministerial level, to give the Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) the right to raise capital for investment programmes in the whole river basin, independent of sovereign borders and independent of where the infrastructure projects will be physically located. The initiative will first support OMVG to develop a new masterplan for the River Basin, which will identify projects for its investment plan. From there, the Blue Peace Financing initiative will support the legal restructuring of OMVG to allow it to issue debt and receive capital for its investment plan. The financing mechanism that will be issued by OMVG will be called “Blue Peace Bonds”. The Blue Peace Financing initiative will support the cost of credit enhancement and of the bond issuance process for the Blue Peace Bonds.

Programme for Country Partnership (PCP): UNIDO’s business model of strong multi-stakeholder partnership is developed in LDCs such as Ethiopia, Senegal, as pilot countries, and Cambodia (implementation phase), as well as Zambia and Rwanda (programming phase). Each PCP is under the full ownership of the implementing country and has continued to expand at the request of Member States expressed in the Ministerial Declarations for the LDCs GC.17/Res.5 and GC.18/ Res.8. One PCP alone comprises several services tailored to the specific country needs to work towards socio-economic transformation, grouping several action areas and stakeholders. For instance, the PCP Ethiopia comprises more than 20 different stakeholders, including 3 national Ministries and one investment commission, 3 multilateral development banks, 7 bilateral donors and 3 multilateral facilities, 5 private sector actors, and 3 UN agencies (FAO, UNDP and UNCTAD) for a total of 34 projects with cumulating investments leveraged amounted to USD 1.2 billion. In Senegal, the transformational impact of the PCP in line with the national “Plan Senegal Emergent” has been substantial since 2015 with improved industrial policy and governance, implementation of large-scale projects such as industrial parks and agropoles, with the involvement of more than 30 partners from the Government, the donor community, the development banks and the private sector. More than USD450 million have been mobilized by the PCP in Senegal (not as free funding): USD80 million have already been signed with the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank for Agropole Sud; and following investments are to come in 2020-2021 for the Agropole Centre: €15 million (ENABEL), USD50 million (ADB), €50 million (European Investment Bank) and for the Agropole Nord 2021–2022: USD100 million (ADB), €50 million (EIB), 300,000 (JICA). UNIDO is also providing technical assistance to Senegal for a cumulative total of USD23 million dedicated to industrial knowledge and technology transfer. Additionally, the PCP Cambodia comprises areas of work such as: environmental sustainability through Transfer of Environment Sound Technology (TEST) methodology, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) contributing to climate change, capacity building for industrial policymaking, the agro-industrial fisheries sector, enhancement of industrial statistics and contributions to women’s economic empowerment in green industries.

20 5.3 Overview of best practices under each IPoA income growth but does not necessarily contribute to priority area greater human assets and reduced vulnerabilities. The second pathway is characterized by economic specialization The following sections provide an overview of some of the through shifts to a more dynamic sector and complement- more than 300 initiatives shared by the IACG members ed by investments in human capital, which helps countries that responded to the questionnaire. As noted earlier, the increase income and human assets, but not necessarily complete list of examples submitted by IACG members will be made available on the UN-OHRLLS website, and should reduce vulnerabilities. The third pathway is characterized be consulted for further information. by a structural transformation that leads to more diversified economies and results in progress towards all three crite- 5.3.1 Productive capacity ria used for identifying LDCs: increased per capita income, expanded human assets and reduced economic and envi- LDCs’ economies feature limited productive capacities, ronmental vulnerability. which constrain their ability to produce efficiently and effectively and to diversify their economies. This handicap Responding to Member States’ requests, UNCTAD has de- translates into binding supply constraints and ultimately into veloped the global Productive Capacities Index (PCI) to weak export and economic potentials and limited productive support the formulation and implementation of holistic, co- employment generation and social development prospects. herent, and evidence-based policymaking in LDCs and oth- Building a critical mass of viable and competitive productive er developing countries. The PCI particularly helps to iden- capacity in agriculture, manufacturing and services is essen- tify economy-wide gaps and limitations that hinder efforts tial for LDCs to benefit from greater integration into the glob- aimed at fostering productive capacities and structural eco- al economy, increase resilience to shocks, sustain inclusive nomic transformation. It also helps to identify key binding and equitable growth as well as poverty eradication, achieve constraints on economic development, and to realign policy structural transformation, and generate full and productive actions and interventions, as well as incentives to address employment and decent work for all. (IPoA, paragraph 44) such constraints. As mentioned in the policy note from the CDP on ‘Expanding Successful measures have been provided by other organiza- Productive Capacity: ‘Lessons Learned from Graduating tions to make progress on productive capacity, in each of the Least Developed Countries,’ productive capacity can be four IPoA productive capacity sub-areas, namely: infrastruc- understood as: ture; energy; science, technology and innovation; and private “the productive resources (natural, human, physical and sector development. financial), entrepreneurial and institutional capabilities, and production linkages which together determine the I. Infrastructure capacity of a country to increase production and to In-country projects, tools and reports, capacity building diversify its economy into higher productivity sectors for activities, and partnership initiatives, have been implemented faster growth and sustainable development.” by UN system entities and other related organizations to The lack of productive capacities impedes the efforts of support the LDCs on infrastructure. LDCs to graduate from the LDC category and is a barrier to The WTO states that infrastructure development has been achieving the SDGs. a prominent feature of discussions at the Global Reviews The CDP note distills examples of policies from 14 coun- of Aid for Trade in 2017 and 2019. It also notes that 79% of tries that have either successfully graduated from the LDCs, versus 32% of other developing countries, indicated LDC category, or have made noteworthy progress towards that inadequate network infrastructure poses a significant graduation, and notes that there are three different pathways challenge to their export diversification efforts within the to graduation. For each pathway, it also outlines key policy 2019 Aid-for-Trade Monitoring and Evaluation exercise. lessons for effectively expanding productive capacity. Some projects undertaken in LDCs have led to positive The first pathway is characterized by rapid economic growth outcomes on the ground and might have the potential to be based on natural resource exploitation, which ensures fast replicated in other LDCs. Those are outlined in Box 9.

21 Box 9. Examples of LDC in-country infrastructure projects that led to positive outcomes

Support to the Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project (VTIP)–EIF in collaboration with Vanuatu and New Zealand governments: Vanuatu had its tourism‑dependent economy devastated when Cyclone Pam struck in March 2015, damaging 90% of the buildings on the main island, including market infrastructure and ports. Rebuilding the damaged seafront was a priority for the Government of Vanuatu. With the help of the Government of New Zealand, in partnership with the EIF, Vanuatu was able to rebuild its vital tourism infrastructure and to regenerate the seafront precincts in Port Vila. A handicraft market was rebuilt with added electricity and Internet access, enabling women artisans to return to the town centers and sell creative artisanal work. The construction of the handicraft market has led to the creation of stronger linkages between tourists and Vanuatu-made products and services, and generated jobs for the local craftspeople.

FAO support on irrigation infrastructure in Afghanistan: FAO worked on rehabilitating and upgrading irrigation and water resources in Afghanistan. The project provided technical support to the Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the Ministry of Energy and Water to complete technical proposals, prepare bidding documents and supervise the construction of 17 irrigation canals in the Pashtun Zarqhun district. While these canals will be completed with government support, training programmes were conducted for government officials in various aspects of irrigation design, management and construction supervision. The trainings enabled officials to effectively supervise the construction works, and implement similar projects and programmes in the country. The project also built the capacity of PMU in project management, and trained 530 farmers in canal operation and maintenance.

Helping Malawi, Nepal and Niger on cancer treatment–IAEA: In 2013-2014, the IAEA supported Malawi with the development of a bankable document that led to the funding, by the Fund for International Development (OFID), of USD 13.5 million for the first cancer treatment facility at the new National Cancer Centre. The IAEA also supported Nepal in establishing a Nuclear Medicine Department at the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur. The hospital serves as the main cancer management institution in Nepal, and provides quality services on radioimmunoassay and imaging studies for early diagnosis of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and other medical conditions. Finally, the IAEA helped the Republic of Niger secure USD 12.5 million from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to expand cancer care capacity.

Tools and reports have also been developed by the UN ture deficits and associated financing requirements in system to assist countries in taking informed decisions, or in these countries. making progress on infrastructure. Those include: • The OHCHR report ‘The Other Infrastructure Gap: Sus- • The UNCTAD e-Trade readiness assessments to help tainability-Human Rights and Environmental Perspec- countries take stock of their e-commerce develop- tives’ (presented earlier in Box 6). ment along seven policy development areas, including e-commerce strategy, information and communications In terms of capacity building and assessments, UNOPS infrastructure and services, trade logistics and trade Capacity Assessment Tool for Infrastructure (CAT-I) aims to facilitation13. assess and support the capacity building of governments to plan, deliver, and manage sustainable, resilient and inclu- • The IMF’s Public Investment Management Assessments sive infrastructure systems. UNCTAD noted that it organized (PIMAs) used to assess infrastructure governance over a training and capacity-building workshop to strengthen the full investment cycle, and to support economic the capacity of policymakers, transport operators and key institution building in this area. financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa to promote, • The ESCAP 2017 edition of the Asia-Pacific Countries finance and implement sustainable freight transport sys- with Special Needs Development Report, which esti- tems. The workshop, that took place in 2016, benefited over mates the cost of providing vital infrastructure in LDCs, 80 participants from countries of the transit and transport LLDCs and SIDS, and analyzes the scale of infrastruc- corridors.

13 The EIF has funded nine Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessments, all of which were undertaken by UNCTAD. These included the assessments of the following LDCs (Liberia, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Lesotho, Kiribati, Malawi and Tuvalu) and Samoa.

22 The solar panel brings electricity to the barbershop in the Kasungu region, Malawi. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO

Bhutan and Rwanda were the first LDCs to join the CDRI, II. Energy a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and Access to affordable, sustainable and modern energy (SDG programmes, multilateral development banks and financing 7) is one of the key enablers of all SDGs, including for SDG mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions 5 (Gender equality), as access to modern energy reduces that aims to promote the resilience of new and existing the time women and girls spend on unpaid domestic work. infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks. UNOPS While the LDCs have made significant progress in this collaborates with the Danish Institute for International respect, more needs to be done for the LDCs to reach the Studies on ‘Roads to Peace? The future of infrastructure in goals of the IPoA or SDG 7 by 2030. A considerable number fragile and conflict-affected states,’ a partnership that aims of initiatives were undertaken by the UN system to help the to identify good practices in the area of road infrastructure, LDCs in this area. by translating field knowledge into recommended actions. Also on partnerships, UNCDF launched the Global Coalition As such, UN-OHRLLS organized, in May 2019, a global for Municipal Finance with the United Cities and Local conference on scaling-up energy access and finance in LDCs Governments (UCLG) to create a financial ecosystem that with the objective to provide them with concrete solutions works for cities and municipalities. It further announced to enhance energy access. The Office also facilitated the the launch of the International Municipal Investment Fund development of a sustainable energy investment study in (IMIF), anticipated for the third quarter of 2020. The IMIF Malawi, and participated in various advocacy activities to is a blended financing fund aimed at investing in urban promote access to sustainable energy in LDCs. An overview and municipal infrastructure projects in the Global South, of these initiatives is provided in Box 10. especially targeting the LDCs.

23 Box 10. UN-OHRLLS’ support to sustainable energy access and investment in LDCs

The Global Conference on Scaling-up Energy Access and Finance in LDCs, organized by UN-OHRLLS in May 2019, provided a unique opportunity for LDCs to share experiences and best practices with delegates from countries facing similar development challenges. For example, the United Republic of Tanzania shared that in order to increase energy access, its government established a Rural Energy Agency, developed a national energy policy, focused on off-grid connections and improved the business environment for the private sector. These initiatives achieved a significant increase in energy access, providing lessons for other participating LDCs. Practical solutions on financing sustainable energy in LDCs were discussed to further advance the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable energy through cross-sectorial policy frameworks and end-to-end business models. The Conference built on two regional meetings held in 2016 in Africa and in 2017 in Asia-Pacific. Its conclusions were summarized in an outcome document, and are expected to be taken up in a new Programme of Action for LDCs.

UN-OHRLLS also facilitated the development of a sustainable energy investment study in Malawi, which was presented at the Global Conference as one of the best practices. The study outlines how Malawi can attract and generate the investment required to achieve universal energy access and SDG 7 by 2030. It further analyzes how well-coordinated and strategically planned action can spur investment in the sustainable energy sector and put the country on track for achieving SDG7 by 2030. The study was launched during a validation workshop in Lilongwe on 9 October 2019, and was conducted in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute.

To advocate the critical role that access to energy has for the overall development of the LDCs, UN-OHRLLS also organized a competition for LDC journalists on the topic of sustainable energy and the life changing benefits access to modern energy has brought to people and communities living in LDCs. The competition culminated in inviting the winning journalists to the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in 2018. UN-OHRLLS further prepared a policy brief on SDG7, and participated in various advocacy activities to promote access to sustainable energy in LDCs, including through its membership in the SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group and UN Energy.

All this work contributed to strengthen policies to eradicate poverty in LDCs and to accelerate structural transformation of their economies, as demonstrated by the launch of an LDC Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access  at the Secretary- General’s Climate Action Summit in Sept 2019. The Coalition aims to benefit rural, remote and vulnerable areas in developing countries, with the ambition of “leaving no one behind“, through mobilising competitive energy financing.

The launch of the Coalition took forward the work of UN-OHRLLS over the past five years, which has put a strong emphasis on the need for specific support to the energy challenges in LDCs and the interlinkages between access to electricity and other SDGs. Implementation of the initiative is expected to start in 2020 with support from UN-OHRLLS. In addition, following the launch of the Malawi sustainable energy investment study, the Development Partners working group agreed to take next steps and plan future work in light of the study recommendations, which include rapid transition to improved cooking solutions benefitting mostly women and girls. It is expected that these initiatives will enhance access to sustainable energy in LDCs and thus contribute to enhanced productive capacity.

24 Concrete projects were also undertaken by other organiza- Also in Nepal, and in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, tions on renewable energy and energy efficiency. As such, ESCAP undertook the ‘5-P project’ which takes a ‘Pro-Poor UNIDO was engaged in: the development of renewable ener- Public Private Partnership’ approach to improve electricity gy mini-grids in Chad, Gambia, Madagascar and the United access by utilizing locally available renewable resources Republic of Tanzania; the use of biomass for energy in Cam- through solar mini-grid or micro-hydro technologies in order bodia; and industrial energy efficiency work in Cambodia. to provide communities with sustainable and environmentally UNOPS worked to connect 54 rural communities in Sierra friendly energy services. Leone by creating mini-grids with solar power plants, and by Finally, UNEP was involved in a project to enable LDCs to identifying private sector investors to operate the networks, effectively and efficiently manage the oil and gas sector in which should benefit more than 360,000 residents. order to enhance human development through inclusive In Lesotho, UNCDF partnered with the Ministry of Energy and social and economic growth, while reducing disaster risks Meteorology and UNDP to catalyze investments in renewable and environmental impacts of the industry. According to energy-based mini-grids and Energy Centres to reduce this project update from December 2019, UNEP delivered greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It also collaborated with national and regional trainings, global level meetings and UNDP, the Development Bank of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian workshops with Oil for Development (OFD) countries on government to operationalize a guarantee scheme tailored climate change and energy transition, and hosted webinars for renewable energy businesses, which, in 2019, guaranteed reaching participants from OFD countries and beyond. USD1.1 million in loans to 12 renewable energy SMEs in Based on initial monitoring results, a number of concrete initiatives in developing countries (including LDCs Uganda partnership with five local banks. and Mozambique) have resulted from UNEP services, such In Nepal, UNDP, with the support of the GEF, implemented as: updating and revising National Oil Spill Contingency the Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL) project Plans; identifying best waste management options for oil (further detailed in Box 11) that resulted in many positive and gas waste; undertaking contaminated site assessments outcomes in terms of energy production, renewable energy, and site remediation; and integrating oil spill preparedness in business and job creation, and reduction of GHG emissions. national disaster management systems.

The Nakai Reservoir constructed across the Nam Theun river in Lao PDR provides a fishing resource that improves 25 villagers’ living conditions. Photo: Asian Development Bank / Flickr Box 11. Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL) in Nepal–UNDP-GEF

In Nepal, about 20% of the population in rural areas does not have electricity access and rely on kerosene or other sources for lighting. Most of the households in the country receive electricity from the national grid, and about 15% from off-grid renewable energy sources.

In this context, the Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL) project seeks to support the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)’s–a Government institution that develops and promotes renewable and alternative energy technologies in Nepal–to remove barriers for scaling up interventions which promote less-disseminated and larger renewable energy systems.

Established by the GEF and UNDP, RERL supports the development of sustainable implementation modalities such as demonstration projects, private sector involvement for financing, and the attainment of financial sustainability through the promotion of productive energy uses. The project provides technical assistance to develop mini or micro hydropower projects and Large Solar PV Systems. It directly supports beneficiaries to develop mini hydro and solar PV as demonstration projects.

In terms of outcomes, the RERL initiative has achieved, and in many cases, over-achieved project targets. It was able to provide an array of service areas ranging from: policy instruments, guidelines and standards; inputs into legislations; innovative financing options; capacity building of local community members, developers and banks; women empowerment; the creation of conducive environment for enterprise development; the scaling up renewable energy technologies; and the piloting of new avenues such as grid-connection of renewable energy systems.

The RERL initiative has also managed to bring about fundamental transformational changes in thinking about rural and decentralized renewable energy in Nepal at community and local levels, in the private and banking sectors, and at the national level. It has been instrumental in exploring and following new pathways, such as: achieving better economies of scale by developing larger systems (mini-hydro, solar mini-grids, solar irrigation); augmenting revenues of renewable energy systems by stimulation local demand, and advocating for grid connection; securing that relevant policies are in place, as well as regulations and standards (grid connection regulations); and actively involving the banking sector and financial institutions by establishing innovative financial mechanisms that back up bank lending, and by matchmaking lenders with investment opportunities in larger renewable energy systems.

Through the improved access to energy and new renewable energy financing instruments, among other factors, the project created more than 2500 micro enterprises, exceeding the target by 8.5 times. This achievement credited the project for creating more jobs, and for contributing significantly to the economic empowerment and livelihood alternatives to the communities living in remote areas of the country. It also achieved 47% more GHG emission reduction relative to its original target.

The partnership RERL- South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) will continue (with part of RERL project funding provided by SASEC through UNDP) until December 2021. RERL will also work closely with other AEPC-implemented projects, such as World Bank’s Private Sector-led Mini-grid.

The UN system has developed tools and reports in the areas • The FAO developed a methodology for a comprehen- of energy: sive cost-benefit analysis of energy technologies, which is published in the report ‘Costs and Benefits of Clean • ESCAP put in place the Asia-Pacific Energy Portal, a Energy Technologies in the Milk, Vegetable and Rice comprehensive database that seeks to provide energy Value Chains’ that contains six case studies of technol- statistics, policies and infrastructure data. ESCAP also ogies in those value chains. assists countries of the Asia-Pacific region in developing national SDG 7 roadmaps using the National Expert SDG • UNCTAD assists countries in conducting services policy Tool for Energy Planning (NEXSTEP). The tool seeks to reviews, an approach designed to take stock of policies, enable policymakers to make informed policy decisions regulations and institutions governing the services sector, to support the achievement of the SDG 7 (affordable identify bottlenecks and suggest practical, tailor-made and clean energy) and emission reduction targets, and solutions. In 2017, a review was initiated at the request of includes three steps. the Economic Community of West African States, cov-

26 ering 12 services sectors, including telecommunications, UNOOSA launched, in 2018, the Space solutions for the road and air transport, construction and energy. Pacific project to help Pacific Island States leverage space- based technologies to achieve the SDGs. Services provided • The UNCTAD’s ‘The Least Developed Countries Report by UNOOSA under this project include technical advisory 2017: Transformational Energy Access’, highlights the missions to increase capacity to access and use space- interaction between access to energy and the process of based information; and institutional strengthening missions structural transformation in the LDCs, and provides a se- to help domestic institutions make space-informed policy ries of recommendations for countries to consider when formulating their national energy policies in combination decisions. In November 2018, the Office engaged with with their sustainable development strategies. representatives from Pacific Island countries to survey their current activities and identify areas where enhanced access On capacity building, IAEA notes that it supports LDCs to use to space science and technology can support sustainable energy and nuclear power planning tools for energy systems development in their national contexts. This information and electricity supply options. Through its Technical Coop- gathering process will inform and tailor the future activities eration programme, and expertise delivered by its technical of UNOOSA in the region. departments, the Agency supports national institutions in their energy planning, including the economic analysis of UNCDF helped with the digitization of the Nepal’s agricul- nuclear energy systems, and their impact on socio-econom- ture sector, which employs 68% of Nepal’s population and ic development and the environment. The Agency further contributes 34% of its GDP. The Fund worked across the reports that Burkina Faso, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Dem- dairy, tea, ginger, vegetables and cardamom value chains to ocratic Republic, and Rwanda have acquired the capacities support interventions ranging from digital transformation of for sustainable energy planning and energy diversification. dairy cooperatives, digitization of payments, innovative financial products such as digital credit and credit against remit- III. Science, technology and innovation (STI) tances. In these agriculture value chains, more than 150,000 Several UN system entities and other related organizations smallholder farmers now have access to digital wallets. UN- shared STI best practices in the areas of ICT; technology CDF in Nepal also supports digitization of other sectors and needs, technology transfer; innovation; e-government, e-infra- the combined impact of UNCDF’s support have resulted in structure, e-services; and an inclusive digital economy. the registration of 700,000 digital wallet customers nation-

As part of the projects carried out by the UN system, the wide, of which approximately 30% are women. Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries joined The IAEA assisted the Democratic Republic of Congo in meet- efforts with UNESCO to conduct STI reviews and Technology ing the growing need for product quality control, maintenance, Needs Assessments (TNAs) in LDCs (including Bhutan, and the optimization and monitoring of industrial processes Guinea, The Gambia, and Timor-Leste). With the objective of using nuclear technologies by establishing the Non-Destruc- identifying gaps and priorities in STI, and with a focus on tive Testing laboratories and Industrial Applications of technology needs, the project led to practical recommenda- Radioisotopes at their General Atomic Energy Commission. tions and actions to strengthen the four countries’ national Finally, DESA implemented a project to help LDCs in devel- STI systems. The STI/TNA reviews also provided a better un- oping evidence-based e-government policies for advancing derstanding of the policy and regulations around STI in the governmental service delivery and accountability in support countries and facilitated policy dialogues among stakehold- of the SDGs in Bangladesh and Ethiopia. ers. The gaps identified through this initiative should guide future STI reform and governance processes in relevant ar- In addition to these projects, organizations such as the WTO, eas in the four countries. WIPO, UNIDO and UNEP implemented supporting measures on technology transfer, including the transfer of environmen- The EIF worked on E‑infrastructure and trade services devel- tally sound technology or low-carbon technology (Box 12). opment in Bhutan. The project led to the launch of an online commodity exchange system, and to the piloting of the auc- Other members of the IACG developed tools and approach- tioning of Bhutanese potatoes, one of its top exports. The es that could assist LDCs on various development related project resulted in greater efficiency by reducing processing issues. Those include the DESA’s E-Government Survey, the and payment times. In addition, farmers and traders can now UNCDF inclusive digital economy scorecard, and the FAO view potato availability and purchase rates in real time. digital innovation ecosystem.

27 Box 12. Examples of UN system support on technology transfer

WTO’s support to the implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement: The implementation of Article 66.2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)–included as a priority in the IPoA–requires developed country members to provide incentives to enterprises and institutions aiming at promoting technology transfer to LDCs. According to the WTO, since 2016, the WTO Secretariat received 70 reports from Australia, Canada, the European Union and its Member States, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the USA14 on actions taken or planned under Article 66.2. The WTO Secretariat has continued to organize annual workshops as a platform for LDC Members and developed Members to engage in in-depth dialogues on the implementation of Article 66.2. The last workshop (in February 2020) saw the participation of 21 capital-based representatives from 15 LDCs.

WIPO’s programme on transfer of appropriate technology for the benefit of LDCs:Referring to its programme on transfer of appropriate technology for the benefit of LDCs, WIPO reported that since 2010, a number of phases of WIPO Technology Transfer were implemented in a number of LDCs and their implementation was evaluated. In total, 12 appropriate technology transfers were made in six beneficiary countries, namely: Bangladesh, Nepal and Zambia (as beneficiaries of the first phase) and Ethiopia, Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania (as beneficiaries of the second phase). There is also an ongoing implementation process in Mozambique, Senegal and Uganda. The transfer of appropriate technology seeks to, inter alia: facilitate greater use of appropriate technical and scientific information in addressing nationally identified needs for the achievement of development goals; transform national knowledge and skills; build institutional capacity in the use of technical and scientific information for identified development needs; and coordinate the retrieval of appropriate technical and scientific information.

UNIDO’s TEST: UNIDO uses the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) integrated approach to provide industries and SMEs in LDCs with a combined set of tools to initiate a cycle of improvements within their business operations to manage the transition towards a sustainable production.

Climate Technology Centre and Network–hosted by UNEP, UNIDO and other regional organizations: UNEP worked on the GEF-funded project on “Technology Needs Assessments” to support developing countries, including LDCs, to address some of the barriers to technology transfer (such as building national capacity to effectively assess technology needs, integrate findings into national planning processes, and facilitate dialogue between policy-makers and investors). It also hosts, in collaboration with UNIDO and 11 independent, regional organizations, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) that promotes the accelerated Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development, at the request of developing countries.

IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme for LDCs: The IAEA places a special emphasis on building national capacities through the development of human resources in LDCs. In 2018, the IAEA launched an interregional technical cooperation programme to build human and institutional capacities in nuclear sciences and technology with a focus on the LDCs’ specific needs and development priorities. The programme seeks to promotes the safe, secure and sustainable use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes in areas that address national and regional development. More on the programme is presented in this report.

14 e-TRIPS database, http://tripsims.wto.org/, accessed on 30 January 2020.

28 Some UN system entities and other related organizations African Union Commission (AUC) in their African Science reported that they provided capacity building for LDCs on and Technology Advisory Group (A-STAG) which engages the STI issues. For example, ESCWA conducted several capac- LDCs in Africa. The A-STAG is a voluntary group that seeks ity building initiatives, such as workshops on e-Government to provide scientific and technical support to the African Strategies and indicators in Mauritania, and on national Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities and framework for e-services quality and the development of the AU Member States for disaster risk reduction in Africa technology incubators in Sudan. WIPO organized, in collab- through the implementation of the Sendai Framework for oration with ESCAP and ECA, a series of regional capacity Disaster Risk Reduction. building meetings on innovation and technological capacity for LDCs of Asia-Pacific and Africa, respectively. ITC pro- UNOPS has an Innovation Aid Programme that facilitates motes the dissemination of best practices among LDCs in targeted, innovation-focused partnerships between donor various areas such as digital marketing and branding, ICT countries and developing nations. Such partnerships may in- services quality certification process, intellectual property clude setting up and supporting domestic innovation centres, rights (IPRs), and customer relationship management. UNCTAD and enabling innovation events in recipient countries. They also include bringing on board reputable educational institu- conducts STI policy reviews upon request from Member tions such as MIT and Harvard University for workshops and States to support the development of their national capac- other learning events, and furnishing start-up companies ities in formulating and implementing STI policy. As of July with equity investments. 2020, these reviews have been carried out for Angola, Leso-

tho, Mauritania and Rwanda. The Technology Bank for the DESA serves as facilitator of the World Summit on Informa- Least Developed Countries partners with FAO to support tion Society (WSIS) for some action lines (promotion of ICTs, the delivery of online training activities for the 47 LDCs to e-government, international cooperation), and UNCDF hosts enhance access to recent scientific knowledge and to give the Secretariat for the Better Than Cash Alliance, a global them the opportunity to participate fully in the global scien- partnership of over 75 members, including national govern- tific community. Together with several organizations (includ- ments from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, compa- ing WIPO, UNEP, ILO, the WHO), the Bank and FAO support nies and international organizations which have committed capacity development in the context of Research4Life, a to digitizing payments to advance the SDGs. knowledge platform that provides access to up to 100,000 leading journals and books in the fields of health, agriculture, Furthermore, UNCTAD serves as the secretariat of the UN environment, innovation and law. Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)–a UN system-wide forum for consensus-building Moreover, as developing countries enhance their nation- on the scientific and technological aspects of building al capacities and institutions to apply and develop nuclear productive capacities for structural transformation–during technologies, the IAEA has placed further emphasis on which deliberations pay special attention to the needs of developing South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTc) LDCs. approaches to maximize the potential of technically-ad- vanced countries and institutions to lead regional initiatives WIPO helps to establish networks of Technology and Innova- and serve as multipliers. In Asia and the Pacific, for instance, tion Support Centers (TISCs) in numerous countries around the IAEA is supporting triangular cooperation among the world. Member States to facilitate the flow of expertise and trans- Finally, as the specialized agency of the UN for ICT, ITU fer of technologies in LDCs. It helped develop SSTc frame- supports LDCs in the development and adoption of ICT pol- works with the aim to develop institutional and human ca- icies, legislation, regulations, data collection and analysis pacity in different areas. The frameworks involve: Vietnam, for connectivity; builds skills and capacity related to the ICT Cambodia and the IAEA; and Viet Nam, the Lao People’s sector; and promotes partnerships to attract funding for Democratic Republic and the IAEA. ICT-related projects. Since 2017, UN-OHRLLS, in partnership Organizations are also involved in partnership initiatives with ITU and various Broadband Commissioners, has gener- and networks on technology and innovation that are of ated knowledge through in-country detailed assessments on, relevance for the LDCs. For instance, UNDRR supports the inter alia: specific challenges; best practices and opportu-

29 In 2016, the drone delivery project made Rwanda the first country in the world to use the drone technology at the service of saving lives. Photo: Sarah Farhat / World Bank

nities related to investing in broadband infrastructure; en- to increase their turnover and to create jobs especially for hancing access to broadband; ensuring relevant content women and the youth. and applications; and enhancing sectoral use and life-chang- UNCDF has an active engagement with over 100 private ing impacts in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. In addition, specific sector entities in the LDCs at any point in time, using tools recommendations have been identified to leverage global partnerships in support of increased access to broadband such as performance-based grant agreements, loan and services in these countries together with enabling policy guarantee deployments to banks, financial service providers, environment and national leadership in the critical areas of renewable energy providers, MSMEs, Fintechs, public-pri- ICTs. These partnerships have led to recognition of the spe- vate partnerships, capital market actors, and sand-boxing/ cial needs of vulnerable countries. demonstration of market making initiatives. A key focus of UNCDF’s support is to promote “inclusive innovations” with IV. Private sector development private sector actors to enable them to design and expand A diversity of approaches is being used by the UN system business models that reach under-served populations, lever- to support private sector development in the LDCs. For aging digital finance and digital innovations. Under its last instance, ITC notes that the development of Micro-, Small Strategic Framework cycle ending in 2017, the Fund sup- and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) competitiveness ported over 130 financial service providers that reached an is its “DNA,” and as such, it provides MSMEs in LDCs additional 18 million un- and under-banked clients with basic with capacity building activities to increase their export financial services, and increased deposits by USD 6.5 billion competitiveness and connect them to more lucrative and in LDCs and SIDS. In addition to these examples, a series of sustainable markets at all levels. It also helps MSMEs to programmes and projects have been implemented by the UN improve their operations and to get all the tools and advisory system on topics such as mining, MSME registration, transi- services that are necessary to make them fully equipped tioning towards a green economy, and decent work. (Box 13)

30 Box 13. Examples of UN programmes and projects related to private sector development

UNOPS Possibilities programme: The UNOPS Possibilities (UP) programme, launched in 2016, is designed to enhance the organization’s supplier diversity over the longer term, and ensure that a larger share of its procurement spending can be accessed by local MSMEs in countries. The programme has a special focus on businesses owned by women, youth, people with disabilities and other special interest groups. It includes supplier engagement events for capacity building, one of which has been conducted in Myanmar.

UNCTAD’s Business Facilitation eRegulations Programme: The UNCTAD’s Business Facilitation eRegulations Programme helps countries simplify and automate their rules and procedures related to investment and entrepreneurship, often reducing administrative procedures and required forms and documentation by 80%. Its eRegulations system, operational in 11 LDCs, contributes to increased transparency and greater institutional capacity, thereby facilitating business and making such countries more attractive to foreign investors.

UNEP’s Switch Africa Green Programme: UNEP supports sustainable private sector development through the Switch Africa Green programme, an initiative that seeks to help countries in Africa, including LDCs (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Uganda), to transition towards an inclusive green economy that generates growth, creates jobs and reduces poverty.

UNDP’s support to small-scale miners in ACP: UNDP provides support to private small-scale miners in 41 countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group of States) to enhance their productive capacity, develop value chains, access financial products, adopt new technologies and methods of production, and enter export markets. Support is provided through the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme.

Support to MSMEs in LDCs to achieve the SDGs–DESA, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP and UNIDO: DESA, in collaboration with UN system partners (including ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP and UNIDO), is working on a project designed to enhance the national capacity of MSMEs to achieve the SDGs in Cambodia, The Gambia, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The project, supported by the Sustainable Development Agenda Sub-Fund of the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund15, seeks to help the Cambodian government formulate a One-Roof Service (ORS) Policy for MSME registration–the first policy frameworks to improve coherence and transparency of MSME registration in the country. It also seeks to support The Gambia in integrating an MSME dimension during integration of the country in the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), and to assist the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in formulating a new national Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) development plan for 2021–2025.

ILO’s work with LDCs to better engage with multinational enterprises: Among other activities, the ILO has worked with employers’ and workers’ organizations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Zambia, in order for them to engage more effectively with multinational enterprises operating in, or sourcing from, their countries. ILO is also involved in the Myanmar SECO (UN Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity project) to assist the project with the Market Systems Development for Decent Work (the Lab). The market systems approach seeks to address the root causes that explain why markets may not be meeting the needs of poor people.

In complement to these specific programmes and projects, sustainable development path. Examples of these funds are UN system entities and other related organizations are using outlined in Box 14. funds directed at the private sector to help countries on their

15 China is a major contributor of this Fund.

31 Box 14. Examples of Funds used by the UN System for private sector development

BUILD Fund: UNCDF has partnered with Bamboo Capital to launch the ‘BUILD Fund’, a blended finance fund focusing on providing capital to the “missing middle” segment of SDG oriented businesses in the LDCs, which are early and growth stage companies with capital needs ranging from USD 250,000 to USD 2,500,000. UNCDF also worked with a non-profit partner supported by the Rockefeller Foundation to launch the first ever UN-affiliated index fund on the New York Stock Exchange– ticker symbol SDGA. SDGA prioritizes companies with positive business impact in LDCs and low-middle income markets, and has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any index fund on the market.

Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF): UNDP implemented an enterprise challenge fund in Malawi (MICF). The fund is a USD 24 million mechanism that provides grant financing for innovative projects put forward by private enterprises active in the agriculture, agribusiness, manufacturing, irrigation, logistics and finance sectors in the country. In terms of impact, the programme led to the creation of 1190 jobs and to an income increase for 33,300 households. The size of the Fund was tripled over four years, supporting 23 projects and expanding partnerships with the private sector and development partners.

SME Impact Fund (SIF): CFC acts both as investor and Member of the Advisory Committee of the SME Impact Fund (SIF). A small fund with initial size of EUR 4 million (approximately USD 4.5 million), SIF targets investments in SMEs operating in commodity value chains in East Africa, mainly the United Republic of Tanzania. SIF supports companies that would not have access to the traditional financial market, and is likely the only fund of its kind which is entirely based and operating in LDCs. The fund has provided already 112 loans, in 11 value chains, totalizing more than EUR 9,3 million (approximately USD 102,480,000) in disbursements. Furthermore, more than 17,000 smallholder farmers have been impacted and 2,200 jobs have been created.

32 The tailoring training workshop in Lilongwe, Malawi. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO Tools (such as platforms, approaches, reports) and frame- Finally, in order to encourage collaboration, organizations works have also been put in place to support developing are involved in networks that comprise LDC representa- countries on investment and entrepreneurship. For example: tives from the private sector. In this regard, UNDRR’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies–the ARISE • The ESCWA’s Arab Trade Integration Monitoring and Evalu- networks–advocates for risk-informed development. The ation Platform (ATIMEP) facilitates exports of Arab coun- networks encourage and support the private and public sec- tries, including all the LDCs in the Arab region, while the tors in implementing business practices that reduce, rath- UNCDF’s LDC Investment Platform (the “Platform”) can er than create, disaster risk across their supply chains and structure financial vehicles, specific transactions, produce within communities in which they operate. A regional ARISE credit assessments and mitigate risks in investment op- network was established in Africa, and a national ARISE portunities that have been sourced by UN agencies on the chapter was also established in Haiti in 2019. Also, ESCAP ground, both from the private and public sectors. has set up the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) • The FAO developed and implemented the Integrated to involve business in addressing the SDGs, and promote Country Approach (ICA) in Malawi and Ethiopia to pro- sustainability of business. ESBN currently has around 140 vide policy support on productive employment and de- business representatives as members, organized into six cent work promotion in rural areas. taskforces (Banking and Finance; Digital Economy; Disaster • The UNCTAD’s Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and and Climate Risk Reduction; Green Economy; Innovation and Implementation Guidance seeks to support developing Competitiveness; and Youth and Women Entrepreneurship). country policymakers in the design of initiatives, measures and institutions to promote entrepreneurship. The 5.3.2 Agriculture, food security and rural guidance identifies policy objectives and options in the development form of recommended actions, and proposes checklists, The agriculture sector, which plays a crucial role in almost all case studies and good practices. It also offers a user LDCs, both in promoting food security and as the major eco- guide and methods for policy monitoring and evaluation. nomic activity for much of the population, faces huge chal- • UNCTAD published its Least Developed Countries Report lenges. These stem from a lack of adequate investment in 2018 on the theme ‘Entrepreneurship for Structural physical infrastructure, scientific and technological develop- Transformation–Beyond Business as Usual.’ The report ment, research and agricultural extensions services, as well provides import insights that can be useful for policy as from the adverse impacts of climate change, environmen- formulation in LDCs, particularly the need for dynamic tal degradation, desertification, and other challenges. Invest- entrepreneurship that introduces innovations in spheres ments are required in regional and national agricultural and such as production, consumption, transport and ad- fishery research and rural infrastructure, extension of better ministration. farming and fishing practices and innovative and sustainable technologies, as well as marketing advice, structured and ef- Furthermore, initiatives have been put in place to build capaci- fective finance and greater tenure security, including access ties on private sector related issues. For example, UNCTAD to and control over land by female farmers irrespective of provides assistance to its EMPRETEC centres in the LDCs their marital status. (IPoA, paragraphs 56, 57, 58) through advisory services, policy workshops, training to entrepreneurs and SMEs. The UNCTAD’s EMPRETEC flag- While agriculture is key to the economies of LDCs ensuring ship programme promotes entrepreneurship and MSMEs food security to all is still a challenging task. According to to facilitate sustainable development and inclusive growth. the Global Report on Food Crises 2020, seven out of the 10 EIF’s trade institutional capacity-building projects focus on countries hit by the worst food crises in 2019 were LDCs, assisting LDCs in setting up effective public-private consul- and conflict, insecurity, weather extremes, desert locusts, tative mechanisms for dialogues on trade policy issues and economic shocks and COVID-19 are expected to be the key high-level private sector involvement in decision‑making, drivers of acute food insecurity in 2020. trade policy formulation, trade analytical studies and implementation. As of 2019, governments and the private sector in 44 EIF countries were consulting each other frequently on trade matters.

33 A women group that produces gari (cassawa flour) in Benin. Photo: Arne Hoel / World Bank

In the past years, the UN system has put in place many Food Programme (WFP), which serves as a humanitarian support measures and initiatives to help the LDCs make organization, assists more than 86 million people in around progress towards sustainable agriculture, eradicating hunger 83 countries, including almost all the LDCs each year, as and rural infrastructure. For example, the FAO–which serves it delivers food assistance in emergencies and works with as the UN specialized agency that leads international efforts communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Also, to defeat hunger–has created the Office for Small Island with the objective of minimizing, and reversing desertification/ Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) land degradation and mitigating the effects of drought in and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)–OSL, and has affected areas, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification launched the ‘Hand in Hand Initiative.’ This initiative seeks to (UNCCD) seeks to achieve a land degradation-neutral world accelerate agricultural transformation and sustainable rural consistent with the 2030 Agenda. Established in 1994, development to eradicate poverty (SDG 1) and end hunger UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement and all forms of malnutrition (SDG2). The country-led and linking environment and development to sustainable land country-owned initiative prioritizes countries where national management, and addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid capacities and international support are most limited or where and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where operational challenges, including natural- or man-made crises, some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can are the greatest. be found.

As an international financial institution and specialized UN Many examples shared by UN system entities and other agency, the International Fund for Agriculture Development related organizations touch upon the diverse aspects of (IFAD) has provided over USD 21 billion in grants and low- agriculture, food security and rural development. Those focus interest loans to projects that have reached about 491 million especially on programmes and projects (as outlined in Boxes people around the world, including in LDCs. The UN World 15 and 16).

34 Box 15. Examples of programmes undertaken by the UN system on agriculture, food security and rural development

Action Against Desertification: FAO supports Action Against Desertification, an initiative of the ACP to restore drylands and degraded lands, and tackle the detrimental social, economic and environmental impact of land degradation and desertification. The initiative supports local communities, governments and civil society in countries (including Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Haiti, Niger and Senegal) to restore degraded land and manage fragile ecosystems in a sustainable way. Support is provided through measures including: capacity development in sustainable land management and land restoration; monitoring and evaluation; information sharing; and South-south cooperation.

Integrated Production and Pest Management Programme (IPPM): The FAO is also involved with the Integrated Production and Pest Management Programme (IPPM), through which it has worked with more than 180 000 farmers in West Africa since 2001 to build more productive and resilient agricultural systems. The programme, that comprises activities in countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, helps farmers understand how agricultural practices can either complement or undermine the biological processes and ecosystem services on which their production systems are built.

UNODC’s Alternative Development Programme: UNODC supports LDCs in terms of rural infrastructure development through its alternative development programme that assists farmers transition from illicit crops to licit livelihoods in countries such as Afghanistan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Myanmar (more on these projects can be found here). UNODC’s assistance comprises provision of seeds, stock, and farming inputs for cash crops, but also infrastructural initiatives, such as improved road access, creation of local markets and commercialization of alternative products. UNODC also supports sustainable practices such as reforestation and organic certification, and partnerships with the private sector to provide market access and quality assurance. More details on UNODC’s alternative development programmes, and success stories can be found here.

ITC’s INTEGRA programme: ITC works with LDCs in increasing the production and commercialization of food crops vital for food security, such as cassava in Sierra Leone, mango in Senegal, maize in Togo, and fruits and vegetables in Malawi and Lesotho. Through its INTEGRA Programme, the Centre supports small cooperatives that produce and commercialize “Fonio”, a product that Guinea promotes to ensure food security especially for the most vulnerable population living in remote areas. ITC contributes to improve the quality and packaging of the Fonio and to better position the product into niche markets at the international level. It also helps some LDCs such as The Gambia to acquire light engineering equipment to process some raw commodities, including cashew nut, sesame and groundnuts.

Box 16. Examples of projects undertaken by the UN system on agriculture, food security and rural development

‘Leveraging Zambia’s Agro-industry Potential in Rural Areas through Enhanced Soya Bean Production and Processing’– UNOSSC, IFAD: Under the India, Brazil and South Africa Fund (IBSA), managed by UNOSSC, IFAD is conducting a project in Zambia on ‘Leveraging Zambia’s Agro-industry Potential in Rural Areas through Enhanced Soya Bean Production and Processing’. Implemented in partnership with the Zambia Ministry of Agriculture, the Smallholder Productivity Promotion Programme, and the Muchinga Agricultural Development Company, the project aims to contribute to poverty reduction and food security in the rural areas of the country. According to the 2018 IBSA Fund Overview of Project Portfolio, intended outcomes of the project include supporting the training of 34 extension officers and 2,000 smallholder farmers (50% of whom are women and youth) in water management, seed and crop production, pest control technologies, environmental mitigation measures, and other issues. The project further seeks to support the construction of community storage facilities and market centres.

35 UNDP Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) in Sudan, and support to sustainable farming in Eritrea: The UNDP C2SP programme aims to strengthen the resilience of communities affected by conflict or are at higher risk of being drawn into it, by creating diversified inclusive livelihoods, providing socio-economic infrastructures, and building capacities of communities and refugees to manage their community infrastructure jointly. In the White Nile State of Sudan, the programme supported economic ventures engaging refugee and host communities in agriculture. It mobilized support from various humanitarian partners: whereby WFP supplied seeds and extension services for farms, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) established basic services like water pumps and clinics for both host communities and refugees. UNDP put in place Community Management Committees that agreed to invest some of the profits generated out of the economic ventures to maintain the basic services. Some private sector companies eventually joined the scheme through financing and ensuring that farm products like cotton are linked to processing plants and export sector.

In addition, since 2012, UNDP has improved the productive capacity of 10,384 vulnerable farmers (51% female) affected by locust and drought in the Red Sea and Debub regions of Eritrea through soil and water conservation activities, agricultural training and inputs. Per this country programme document for Eritrea (2017–2021), a total of 16,461 people (55% women) have benefited from cash for work involving development of community infrastructure, such as dams to prevent soil erosion and promote water harvesting. Also, UNDP supported a pilot land tenure policy (replacing the customary system) which secures women’s land rights. In 2015, 23 villages, with 5,500 households (37% female headed), benefited from secured land tenure. As a result, local communities increased investment in their land by doing extensive farmland terracing and engaging in soil and water conservation activities. Farmers planted 125,000 tree seedlings for fuelwood, construction material and income from the sale of timber. Communities from other areas are demanding replication of these practices and the Government is considering scaling up the project, which UNDP will support by encouraging community engagement in local decision-making processes, among other activities.

UNCDF support to agriculture development and digitization in LDCs: As part of its objective to increase mobilization of primarily domestic public and private capital for sustainable local economic and agriculture development, UNCDF provided– from January 2017 to December 2019–technical and catalytic financial support to a pipeline of 42 investment projects with a total value of USD 50.6 million in four countries (United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh and Benin). To date, an overall UNCDF investment of USD 6.15m in these projects has helped unlock USD 13.7m in private sector investments and USD 7.6m in public investments. This unlocking of private and public capital comes in various forms, including government decisions to further improve physical infrastructure facilities along with new business investments around the projects. Also, together with partners (Telecoms, Fintechs, Agrotechs and Agri-businesses), UNCDF has pioneered the digitization of the five most prominent agriculture value chains in Uganda: maize, coffee, tea, seed oil and dairy. Over a three-year period, a total of 224,938 farmers adopted mobile money as their first ever formal financial account in life. To date, digital financial services providers have expanded into other agriculture value chains and are offering customers more diversified financial services.

IAEA’s support to food quality and productivity in LDCs: The IAEA helped Haiti build capacities in mycotoxin analysis, which enabled the Veterinary and Food Quality Laboratory to work with the Quarantine and Inspection Service of the country in testing and certifying food imports before they enter the country. In addition, the IAEA helped Myanmar improve its national capacities in the use of molecular and related technologies for increasing the genetic quality of local and adapted livestock breeds, and supported the establishment of a laboratory with molecular and nuclear techniques for the genetic characterization of local breeds. The project led to an improved livestock productivity of small holder farmers and livestock owners in rural regions.

UNIDO’s support to agriculture in Sudan: Together with FAO, UNIDO is implementing a project to upgrade the Sudanese sesame seed value chain. Implementation of the three-year project started in October 2018, and seeks to increase the capacity of the Sudanese sesame seed value chain to comply with food safety and phytosanitary requirements, and to implement good agricultural practices codes, standards and regulations. UNIDO also supported Sudan in the modernization of its Red Sea State fishing industry.

WIPO’s transfer of technology for agricultural purposes: Under the WIPO’s project on Transfer of Appropriate Technology, technology transfer was made for rainwater harvesting in Zambia to support sustainable agricultural development for the irrigation of small community farms. Municipal waste management technology was also transferred to Bangladesh for using city waste for landfill in the marshy areas of the country. The recovered land will be used for agricultural production, especially for producing seasonal vegetables.

36 Among other UN system successful initiatives an EIF project • The IAEA has helped LDCs to strengthen the capacities on linking smallholder farmers to agro-processors in Malawi of selected laboratories and to promote networking to resulted in an increase in yields for in-grower farmers soya detect and monitor food contaminants and residues in beans (by 30%) and for groundnuts (by 42%) compared to order to ensure food quality and to facilitate exportation. smallholder farmers not participating. UNOPS worked with Support to agricultural and food security in the LDCs can the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also be illustrated by the various decisions, principles, frame- (OCHA) to meet basic needs in Yemen through the delivery works, and mechanisms put in place by members of the UN of over 10 million tonnes of food, fuel and supplies to the system. As such, the WTO Decision on Export Competition, ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Saleef. The UNEP’s ‘Wadi el adopted at the Nairobi Ministerial Conference in 201517 has Ku catchment management project’ in Sudan, is expected provided for the elimination of agricultural export subsidies, to directly support over 80,000 farming families and provide and requires WTO Members to limit export financing support benefits to around 700,000 people living near the wadi or and set a better framework for international food aid. In the depending on its water for their livelihoods. Decision on Export Competition, LDCs and Net Food-Import- In addition to these measures, several capacity building ing Developing Countries (NFIDCs) benefit from additional initiatives have been supported by the UN system. Among flexibilities such as: a longer transition period to phase out other examples: certain export subsidies (until 2030); and longer repayment terms (up to 54 months) for the acquisition of basic food • The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), stuff. They also benefit from the possibility to monetize inter- established by FAO, the World Organisation for Animal national food aid for the purposes of transport and delivery Health (OIE), the World Bank, WHO and the WTO, helps of food assistance or to address situations of insufficient developing countries and LDCs build their capacity to meet agricultural production, thereby helping to avoid hunger and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements for trade. malnutrition. Similarly, WTO members adopted two deci- The partnership aims to devote at least 40% of project sions on trade-related elements of cotton. The 2013 decision resources to LDCs and other lowincome countries. Since established dedicated WTO discussions on cotton, while the its establishment in 2004, LDCs have benefitted from 59% 2015 Decision committed developed countries and certain 16 of project resources disbursed by the STDF. developing countries to grant, in accordance with existing • Through projects such as Promoting Cotton By-prod- preferential trade arrangements, duty-free and quota-free ucts in Eastern and Southern Africa (detailed here), and market access for exports of cotton and cotton-related agri- Integrating Landlocked Commodity Dependent Devel- cultural products from LDCs. In addition, since 2006 the cot- oping Countries into Regional and Global Value Chains ton-related development assistance is regularly discussed (presented here), UNCTAD, in collaboration with other under the Director General’s Consultative Framework Mech- partners, is assisting beneficiary countries to improve anismn Cotton. All this progress constitutes an important statistical and analytical capacity in effective policy contribution towards helping LDCs to benefit from potentials formulation. This seeks to improve the capacity of the from this vital sector. private sector in beneficiary countries to assess mar- UNCTAD, FAO, IFAD and the World Bank jointly developed a ket prospects, identify market opportunities and over- set of Principlesor responsible agricultural investment that come market barriers to better integrate regional and respects rights, livelihoods and resources (PRAI), and cov- global value chains. er all types of investment in agriculture, including between • The ILO provides support using targeted activities principal investors and contract farmers. The Principles are in agribusiness markets, through social finance and intended to provide a framework for national regulations, in- cooperatives activities. As part of its work, it partners ternational investment agreements, global corporate social with the Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund responsibility initiatives, and individual investor contracts. (AATIF) to build capacity for social and environmental ESCWA has contributed to the development of a framework risk and impact management in agricultural finance in to monitor food security in the Arab region (explained here), Africa (including in Burundi and Zambia as LDCs). taking into consideration regional specificities, and the four

16 http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDF_Strategy_2020-2024.pdf 17 Ministerial Decision on Export Competition, Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference, Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015 (WT/MIN(15)/45, WT/L/980).

37 dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, utili- • In order to enhance LDCs participation in services trade, zation and stability. Through its UN monitoring mechanism three decisions related to the adoption of the LDC ser- to review commitments made towards Africa’s development vices waiver and its operationalization have been taken (UNMM), the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) in Geneva (2011), in Bali (2013) and in Nairobi (2015 ). has undertaken extensive review of the implementation of The LDC services waiver is valid until 2030. Currently, 24 commitments in agriculture. The Office also supports the WTO Members, accounting for 86% of global services Comprehensive Africa’s Agriculture Development Programme trade, offer a variety of measures to LDC services and (CAADP), and proposed recommendations to spur further services suppliers across different services sectors, in- progress towards the implementation of commitments by cluding business, transport, communication, tourism African countries and their development partners. and travel (detailed here). A recent review of the operation of the Services waiver revealed a growing impor- 5.3.3 Trade tance of technical assistance in order to strengthen

Trade has an important role in ensuring LDCs’ sustainable LDCs capacity in services trade. economic development. It is essential to seriously work to- An important measure put in place to build trade-related in- wards creating favorable market access conditions for all frastructure and productive capacity of developing countries, products originating in LDCs, including through the reduction and particularly LDCs, is the WTO’s Aid for Trade Initiative. or elimination of arbitrary or unjustified non-tariff barriers Through this initiative, over USD22 billion in aid-for-trade and other trade-distorting measures. Regional cooperation, in- have been disbursed to support LDCs in building their eco- cluding through regional trade integration and other arrange- nomic infrastructure (57%), strengthening productive capac- ments, can facilitate LDCs’ development and their beneficial ity (41%) and enhancing trade policy and regulations (2%) integration into the world economy by, inter alia, increasing since the IPoA Midterm Review in 2016. The Aid for Trade Ini- the size of markets, improving their competitiveness and tiative and related meetings in the WTO, including the bienni- enhancing regional connectivity. (IPoA, paragraphs 61, 63, 64) al Global Reviews of Aid for Trade, provide a forum to LDCs to highlight their needs and put a spotlight on their priorities. Supporting the integration of LDCs into global trade is The biennial Global Reviews monitor and evaluate Aid for an important pillar of the WTO work, reflected in several Trade trends, and maintain the focus on mobilizing support. decisions agreed in favor of LDCs and in the initiatives to Also, in line with the biennial Aid for Trade Work Programme, strengthen LDC capacity to trade. Key decisions adopted by the Sessions on Aid for Trade of the WTO’s Committee on the WTO Members specifically for LDCs have offered new Trade and Development as well as thematic workshops opportunities to LDC exporters of goods and services in the cater to the problematics of LDCs and evolving issues such markets of their trading partners: as economic diversification, connectivity and sustainability. • LDCs continue to enjoy preferential market access in In 2019, the WTO, with the support of the EIF, started to developed and developing markets, as a result of the comprehensively examine the trade-related implications of implementation of the duty-free quota-free decisions graduation from LDC status in response to a request by the taken at the WTO Ministerial Conferences in Hong Kong WTO LDC Group. The main results of this work are presented (2005) and further strengthened in Bali (2013). Most in the report on Trade impacts of LDC graduation which of LDC exports enter developed and some developing provides a detailed assessment across three main areas: country markets duty-free, according to the 2019 WTO implementation of the WTO Agreements, market access report on market access for products and services of conditions and development cooperation. A country-specific export interest to LDCs. perspective for 12 LDCs on the path to graduation will be • Rules of origin play an important role for utilizing prefer- published in ‘Trade impacts of LDC graduation: Insights ences. Two sets of multilateral guidelines on preferen- from country-specific market access.’ In addition, the WTO is tial rules of origin adopted in Bali (2013) and in Nairobi currently examining the impact of COVID-19 on graduating (2015) have enabled LDC exporters to make better use LDCs in coordination with other UN organizations. Building of preferences accorded to them. Significant progress on these findings, the WTO will be developing a tailor-made has been made in implementing these guidelines and training program on trade aspects of LDC graduation in ensuring that rules of origin are simple and transparent order to better support LDCs in the preparation for graduation, (detailed here). thereby contributing to a smooth transition.

38 The EIF supports countries to implement the WTO’s Trade in eight villages were given seeds, training in new production Facilitation Agreement (TFA), an agreement that commits methods as well as new tools to bring production practices countries to 38 provisions to simplify, modernize and harmo- in line with international standards and increases the mar- nize their export and import processes, and should result in ket value of the hibiscus. The integrated project approach reduced trade costs and streamlined procedures for MSMEs. touched approximately 60,000 people in Darfur, and 12,000 The EIF further assists LDCs in accessing new markets and people benefited directly from support to traditional hibiscus increase their exports. For instance, it has helped Niger im- harvesting and processing, which doubled production and prove its hides and skins sector, for which export revenues in improved revenue and living conditions. In 2017–2018, the 2018 amounted to FCFA 800,000,000 (USD 1,363,920), a sig- FAO also implemented a Multipartner Programme Support nificant increase over the 2010 baseline of FCFA 313,331,250 Mechanism (FMM) project in four LDCs in Africa (Mozam- (USD 534,198). The main export markets are China, France, bique, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia) to India and Spain. improve alignment between agriculture and trade policy processes in these countries. On other country projects that led to concrete results on the ground, UNDP with financial support from USAID and Furthermore, UN system entities and other related organiza- the Government of Switzerland, provided support to poor tions made available an important number of tools to help farmers in Sudan to participate in the growing international LDCs make progress on trade-related areas. A selection is demand for hibiscus (used for many fruit teas) by improving presented in Box 17. production techniques. In North Darfur, some 1500 farmers

Box 17. Tools to support the LDCs on trade

The UNCTAD Trade Portal: A facilitation tool focusing on trade procedures, the Trade Portal was deployed as a product extension of eRegulations, an online tool to help governments make rules and procedures fully transparent and to facilitate business, trade and investment. In December 2018, a regional trade information portal for the East African Community was launched during a ministerial retreat on trade facilitation of the Community. The portal is linked with country trade portals in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Tools on statistics–UNCTAD and partners: UNCTAD, the UN Statistics Division and WTO developed anonline training course to ensure that compilers of statistics on international trade in services adhere to the international standards laid down in the ‘Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010.’ Since 2013, UNCTAD has also been working with the West African Economic and Monetary Union to set up statistical tools for the measurement and analysis of international trade in services that help the eight member countries of the Union–seven of which are LDCs–to formulate trade-in-services policies tailored to their social and economic development goals.

UNCTAD ASYCUDA: Through its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) programme, UNCTAD has assisted countries to increase revenue collected by customs, and to reduce clearing times and costs. ASYCUDA facilitates international trade by contributing to the modernization of customs operations, speeding up and simplifying the customs clearance process for traded goods, while strengthening the competitiveness of importers and exporters. The System is used by more than 90 countries, over a third of which are LDCs.

UNCTAD’s NTM Hub: Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are policy measures other than tariffs that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods. The NTM Hub hosted by UNCTAD provides country-specific data and analysis for the formulation of effective development strategies to meet the SDGs. It gives information on NTM classification, data, research and analysis, and policy for several LDCs.

39 Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (EIF, UNCTAD): Under the EIF, UNCTAD provides assistance, upon request, to LDC Member States in updating their Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS). DTIS serve as tools to identify policy limitations and gaps, and to develop action matrices to address domestic bottlenecks to trade. They are crucial and a cornerstone of the EIF in terms of integrating and mainstreaming trade into national development plans18. As of July 2020, UNCTAD has done the DTIS of Ethiopia and the DTIS update of the Democratic Republic of the congo, Djibouti The Gambia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger and Senegal.

ITC non-tariff measures surveys: ITC has carried out non-tariff measures surveys in most LDCs to better understand the constraints faced by exporters and to encourage public private dialogues to address the concerns via reforms or other initiatives, which help to remove barriers to trade. ePing–UN, WTO, ITC: A joint initiative of the UN, WTO and ITC, ePing is a global online tool that enables private and public stakeholders to access and discuss Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) notifications, covering products and markets of interest in a timely manner. Given the high volume and diversity of SPS and TBT measures notified by WTO Members, it can be a challenge for interested stakeholders, especially governments and the private sector in LDCs, to track and react to changing product requirements. ePing allows policy makers, SPS and TBT focal points, exporters, importers, investors and others to keep track of and share information on product requirements. The tool is free upon registration.

IMF’s Trade Integration Mechanism: The IMF’s Trade Integration Mechanism (TIM) was introduced in April 2004 to assist member countries to meet balance of payments shortfalls that might result from trade liberalization measures implemented by other countries. The TIM is not a special lending facility, but rather a policy designed to make resources more predictably available under existing IMF lending facilities. Countries such as Bangladesh and Madagascar have so far requested and obtained support in accordance with the TIM.

ESCWA trade and data tools: To facilitate Arab export promotion and market access, including in Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen, ESCWA developed the Arab Trade Integration Monitoring and Evaluation Platform (ATIMEP). It also put in place the System of indexes for measuring, monitoring and evaluating the Arab integration performance (SIMEAI), a platform designed to monitor and assess Arab regional and global integration performance to promote economic growth as a necessary condition for job creation and poverty reduction. Among other initiatives, ESCWA also launched its flagship bilingual data portal in 2018, making national statistics–including on trade–available online with customizable visualizations and regular updates. It further published the ‘External Trade in ESCWA Member States–Country Profiles’, and the ‘Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation Survey in the Arab Region in 2017’.

Rules of Origin Facilitator–WTO, World Customs Organization, ITC: In order to facilitate access to information on origin requirements, the WTO in co-operation with the World Customs Organization and the International Trade Centre developed the Rules of Origin Facilitator—an online tool covering origin-related requirements across different trade agreements used by over 190 countries.

Global Trade Helpdesk–WTO, ITC, UNCTAD and partners: The Global Trade Helpdesk is a multi-agency effort to ease access to trade and business information by making this information available online, in one place and free of charge. The tool helps companies, and especially MSMEs across the world and in LDCs to cut trade costs in getting the latest insights on markets access conditions of their trading partners.

UN Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT): UNNExT was established by the ESCAP and UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2009 to assist countries, particularly LDCs and LLDCs, with trade facilitation measures that help simplify processes and regulations. UNNExt consists in a community of knowledge and practice for experts from developing countries and transition economies from Asia and the Pacific involved in the implementation of electronic trade systems and trade facilitation.

18 Based on the latest information collected by EIF, currently two thirds of the LDCs have integrated trade into the national development strategies and plans.

40 Among reports launched by organizations to support the On capacity building, the LDCs have been accorded priority LDCs on trade, the WTO’s Trade Monitoring Reports ‘Overview in the delivery of WTO’s trade-related technical assistance of Developments in the International Trading Environment’ (TRTA). They benefit from LDC-specific introductory trade (reports by the WTO Director General) take stock of new trade- policy courses as well as intermediate thematic courses facilitating and trade-restrictive measures taken by the WTO that specifically address their needs. They are also the main Members. In 2019, four LDC Members provided information beneficiaries of internship programmes. In 2019, the WTO on measures taken during the reporting period: Afghanistan, implemented over 90 national technical activities amounting Angola, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The Organization also to CHF 2 million (approximately USD 2 100 000), with one published a report on ‘Natural Disasters and Trade,’ which quarter of it going to LDCs. suggests that an open, rules-based trading system can As part of the European Union–UNCTAD Joint Programme support resilience in the face of natural disasters. The reports for Angola: Train for Trade II, UNCTAD has been supporting reviews the experiences of Nepal and Vanuatu, among a few Angola in building institutional and human resources other countries. capacities in commercial diplomacy; creative economy; UNCTAD’s annual ‘Key Statistics and Trends in Trade Policy’ EMPRETEC entrepreneurship training and entrepreneurship series monitors development in world trade policy and their policy development; national green export review; investment consequences for developing countries, including LDCs. The policy review; trade facilitation; and transport and logistics. 2016 edition of the report, that was dedicated exclusively to The objective of the Joint Programme is to improve human LDCs, presented an overview of the effects of G20 policies and institutional capacities to foster appropriate economic on LDCs exports, and discussed trends in selected trade diversification policies in Angola, and to help the country policy instruments. build a more resilient economy capable of eradicating poverty. So far 1,150 Angolans benefited from training and The OHCHR cooperated with the ECA and the Friedrich Ebert policy-oriented activities, with about 20% of them having Stiftung in the elaboration of the report ‘The Continental Free participated in multiple capacity-building activities. The Trade Area (CFTA) in Africa–A Human Rights Perspective,’ Programme has so far trained 30 trainers to deliver future which applies the human rights impact assessment method- national courses. ology to the negotiations of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) in Africa. The report assesses positive and negative In addition, developing countries (including LDCs) benefit impacts of the agreement especially for informal cross-bor- from a range of face-to-face and web-based capacity building der traders, small-scale farmers and the agro-manufacturing programmes from ITC in market analysis and research to sup- sector. The OHCHR, ECA and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung port companies, trade support institutions and governments. also published the report ‘Digital Trade in Africa: Implications More generally, ITC works with institutions, in particular trade for Inclusion and Human Rights’, which references challeng- and investment promotion agencies, to improve their mana- es for LDCs related to “the right to an identity in the digital gerial, technical and operational functions to better serve the age”, “human rights, connectivity and digital trade”, “opportu- private sector in Madagascar, Cambodia, Senegal, Uganda, nities and risk of digitalization for the workforce”, “technolo- Zambia, Mali, and Niger. It also assists MSMEs to connect gy transfer-related aspects of the global digital trade regime with market opportunities, after having complied with market implications for the right to development of countries in Afri- requirements in terms of pricing, marketing and packaging. ca,” and e-commerce and women human rights. Its support covers enterprises that commercialize silk products in Cambodia, pashmina in Nepal, coffee in Burundi, and Furthermore, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) cocoa in Sierra Leone. in collaboration with ITC and EIF, issued the report ‘Tourism On other capacity building activities: for Sustainable Development in LDCs: Leveraging Resources for Sustainable Tourism with the EIF.’ The report provides • UNCTAD works to strengthen the capacity of trade negotia- concrete guidance on ways to better harness the role of tors and policymakers in the LDCs to engage in multilateral, tourism for sustainable development and realize the 2030 regional and sub regional trade negotiations, to establish Agenda through trade policies. It also provides hands- negotiating priorities and identify practical positions and on guidance to design trade related technical assistance policy options. For example, as outlined in the UNCTAD’s directed at the tourism sector. Toolbox, UNCTAD’s assistance to African countries, the

41 African Union Commission and regional groupings in the Africa and were delivered through the UNITAR platform negotiations concerning the African Continental Free (in English and French) in 2018 and 2019. While these Trade Area (particularly relating to trade in goods and courses are not solely targeting LDCs, the majority of services) contributed to the formulation and adoption of the participants were from LDCs. the negotiating modalities in these areas and eventually • The FAO also supported the creation of the Africa Agri- the adoption of the Agreement Establishing the African cultural Trade Policy Practitioners Network (ATPPN), Continental Free Trade Area. Moreover, UNCTAD’s a network of agricultural trade policy practitioners in flagship course on Key Issues on the International Eastern and Southern Africa with the objective of shar- Economic Agenda provides capacity-building on poli- ing experience on successes and challenges related to cies to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and policy design and implementation. The ATPPN includes development. It offers training on the linkages between participants mostly from LDCs, while not targeting sole- trade, finance, investment, technology, logistics and ly LDCs, and has been created in collaboration with the macroeconomic policies in the context of major eco- Trade Policy Training Centre in Africa (TRAPCA) based nomic trends and debates in multilateral fora. It has in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. been held in all developing regions since 2001, and LDC officials have been strongly represented among par- 5.3.4 Commodities ticipants. The organization also promotes enhanced Many LDCs remain commodity-dependent, with a signifi- awareness among LDCs on ways and means to better cant number relying primarily on agriculture or on the ex- utilize the trade preferences available under various traction of very few natural resources and primary products duty free quota free (DFQF) market access conditions for export. This makes LDCs vulnerable to external trade available under the Generalized System of Preferences shocks owing to volatility of commodity prices, which also (GSP) and other preferential schemes. In 2019, the impacts domestic resource mobilization. There is a need for GSP Handbook of Norway and the Handbook of the concerted measures and actions to support LDCs’ efforts Preferential Tariff Scheme of the Republic of Korea in to reduce commodity dependence, including through the favour of LDCs were published, which provide read- diversification of their export base, and to mitigate and re- er-friendly information on the respective preferential duce the adverse effects of commodity price volatility. (IPoA, schemes, including rules of origin. paragraph 67) • UNIDO implemented projects to strengthen institutional Commodity dependence is still a reality for a majority of and national capacities related to Standards, Metrology, LDCs, which have not succeeded in developing their domes- Testing and Quality (SMTQ) for the market access and tic productive capacities, and are still heavily reliant on one trade facilitation support to South Asian LDCs. Within or few primary commodities for their export revenues. De- different projects, institutions and laboratories in LDCs pendence on a limited number of commodities, including (Bhutan and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic) in- commodities that are vulnerable and exposed to the impacts creased their skills and upgraded their equipment nec- of climate change, can significantly increase disaster risk in essary to provide accredited testing capacity to certified LDCs. Also, as noted by the EIF in their written contribution companies in order to detect product residues, additives, to this project, the LDCs have historically depended on a nar- pesticides and contaminants. row range of primary products and a few export markets for • ESCWA assists Member States in developing their ca- the bulk of their export earnings, and the recent downturn in pacities in negotiating trade agreements and using trade commodity prices has further reinforced the need to build remedies and antidumping instruments. As such, it or- more diversified and resilient economies. ganized workshops at the regional level that benefited Within the UN system, the CFC is specifically mandated to Sudan and Mauritania, and helped Sudan in the devel- support LDCs on commodities. The Fund supports projects opment of its new trade policy. that deliver practical solutions to the problems of commodity • The FAO developed two global e-learning courses on dependence. With a market-oriented approach, the Fund Trade, Food Security and Nutrition and Agriculture in assists commodity producers in adding more value to their Trade Agreements. The courses have been tailored to products, in order to enhance their participation in upper the needs of agriculture and trade policy officers in parts of the value chains. As a result, the CFC helps the LDCs

42 to diversify their economies and to be less dependent on the leading cashew processing company in Benin. This example commodities market. A good illustration of CFC’s support is outlined in Box 18, along with a selection of other IACG and impact lies in the Fund’s support to Tolaro Global, the members’ support projects on commodities in the LDCs.

Box 18. Examples of IACG members’ projects on commodity support in LDCs

CFC’s support to Tolaro Global–a leading cashew processing company in Benin: Founded in 2010, Tolaro processes and exports more than 3,500 metric tons (MT) of cashews to premium markets in Europe and the United States, with a value of almost USD 4 million each year. It also buys raw cashews from 7,000 smallholder farmers and employs more than 650 workers, thus creating significant economic impact in Benin. The CFC is financing the company’s expansion plans. The project entails the acquisition of equipment to increase the processing capacity of Tolaro from 3,500 MT to 20,000 MT by 2023. The number of farmers delivering raw cashew nuts to Tolaro is expected to increase from 7,000 to 15,000 by 2023. The number of factory jobs in Tolaro are expected to increase from 650 to 1,500 over the same period. In 2018, Tolaro launched its roasting, seasoning and packaging facility to produce the first ‘100 percent made in West Africa’ roasted cashew nuts. The facility is certified to meet the highest standards of food safety, quality and operational excellence within a food manufacturing organization. By processing the cashew locally and exporting to premium markets, the company is increasing the value addition of its product and reducing Benin’s dependence on the commodity market.

EIF support to diversify pashmina products in Nepal: The pashmina industry was identified as a key area in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy. The EIF Pashmina Enhancement and Trade Support project was aimed at contributing to economic and social development through the export growth of Chyangra Pashmina products. Targeted capacity development support, including a market entry strategy, product design, marketing and branding was provided to selected enterprises to implement market requirements of the United States and Japan, and to promote Chyangra Pashmina products from Nepal as a whole. The diversification of pashmina products from woven to knitted items, increased enterprises revenue by almost 200% to over USD 5 million in 2016. Supported companies further witnessed an aggregate increase of 16% in export value due to the support of the project, from USD 5,724,164 in 2014 to USD 6,641,713 in 2016.

Ensuring the adoption of the African Mining Vision principles in Africa–UNDP: UNDP works closely with the African Union (AU) to ensure Member States adopt the principles set out in the African Mining Vision (AMV). The AMV advocates for the capturing of rents from commodity exports, for the building of local and regional value chains and for shifting production into a more diversified mix, mainly into manufacturing activities. UNDP is building the capacity of the AU Commission’s Mining Unit in the Trade and Industry Division, and kick-started the AMV adoption process in LDCs (Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia).

Helping farmers divert from the cultivation of illicit crops–UNODC: As part of its work to support farmers transition from illicit crops to licit livelihoods, UNODC helped the coffee industry in Myanmar. Since its creation in 2015, the Green Gold cooperative in Myanmar had worked together with UNODC to acquire knowledge and expertise about the coffee business, create coffee nurseries, establish sustainable plantations and identify markets and buyers. This helped break the dependency on opium poppy cultivation that characterized the community of farmers in South Shan State beforehand. In October 2018, the Green Gold cooperative in Myanmar celebrated a milestone when it exported its first container of select coffee to the European market, after signing a five-year partnership agreement with the French company Malongo for the commercialisation of its harvests under fair-trade conditions. At that time, the cooperative comprised more than 960 farmers, and its 2018 harvest came from 60 villages across Loilem, Hopong and Ywangan townships.

Supporting The Gambia in diversifying dependence on commodities–ITC: ITC helps countries, including The Gambia, to diversify its dependence on commodities, such as groundnuts and cashew nuts. Jointly with the Ministry of Trade, ITC encourages young entrepreneurs to develop and market ICT solutions to increase the competitiveness of the agriculture sector, and of the tourism industry which is an important source of export earnings for the country. ITC further provides mentoring

43 programmes, advisory services to ICT startups to get all the tools that will help them access new market opportunities and to create jobs for the young Gambians.

Assessing the economic potential of cotton-by-products in African LDCs–WTO, UNCTAD, ITC, EIF: The WTO, in collaboration with UNCTAD, ITC, and the EIF, launched the joint initiative on cotton by-products in 2019. The initiative aims to undertake country-specific assessments of the economic potential of cotton-by-products in African LDCs and to strengthen resource mobilization for technical assistance and capacity-building. The WTO is currently preparing eight feasibility studies for these countries to assess local cotton by-products investment potential and options for technology transfer, which will ultimately contribute to creating new income opportunities for smallholder farmers (many of whom are women). The studies have already shown that artisanal soap production from cottonseed oil extraction is a women-led business in several beneficiary countries, creating annual revenues of USD 250,000, as well as employment opportunities for over 400 people, for one country alone.

In complement to specific projects on the ground, tools and importance of structural transformation for LDCs, LLDCs reports have been made available by the UN system to help and SIDS. Per the report, efforts should be made to LDCs diversify their economy and invest in greater value increase labor productivity in agriculture by modernizing addition to their products. the sector. This can be achieved by: facilitating access to higher-yield seeds; commercializing agricultural For example: production; mechanizing and using technology; linking • Through its Global Information and Early Warning Sys- agricultural production with market opportunities tem on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the FAO helps through development of the agribusiness sector; and countries maintaining commodity supply, demand and creating robust food processing industries that are price databases up to date. This initiative provides gov- linked to regional and global value chains. ernments and national stakeholders with timely, accu- • UNCTAD’s ‘Commodities and Development Report’ rate information for the design of efficient and inclusive series classifies 39 LDCs as commodity-dependent. market and trade strategies. The GIEWS monitors food The last issue, launched in 2019, seeks to further un- supply and demand, assesses the overall food security derstand the interactions between climate change situation in all countries of the world, and makes avail- and commodity sectors. It highlights the challenges able several reports and country analyses with infor- that commodity dependent developing countries face mation and data on LDCs. as they manage their natural resource sectors in the • The IMF staff has published a paper on the ‘Economic context of the Paris Agreement, and explores some Benefits of Export Diversification in Small States,’ cov- potential benefits that might arise from climate change ering sovereign countries with a population of 1.5 million mitigation and adaptation. people or fewer. The paper presents the conclusions of a study which assessed the economic performance of 5.3.5 Human and social development different groups of more than 30 small states (compris- LDCs’ greatest assets are their women, men and children, ing Bhutan, Comoros, Djibouti, Kiribati, Sao Tome and whose potential as both agents and beneficiaries of devel- Principe, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Timor Leste and Van- opment must be fully realized. LDCs face serious economic, uatu) throughout 1990–2015. It confirms the potential human and social development challenges, and will contin- economic benefits of export diversification in reducing ue to face the significant burden of poverty in coming years growth volatility and promoting economic development unless concrete steps are taken to tackle its root causes in a in small states, adding that in practice, the quest for di- sustainable way, including by building productive and human versification has proven difficult and only successful in capacity. Poverty and hunger are multidimensional prob- a limited number of small states. lems that pose serious constraints to LDCs’ efforts to make • The ESCAP 2019 edition of the Asia-Pacific Countries progress in human and social development owing to inability with Special Needs Development Report examines the to access essential services such as education, health, water

44 and sanitation and to access productive resources to partic- Moreover, the Human Development Report (HDR), published ipate in social, economic and political life and benefit from every year by UNDP, seeks to stimulate global, regional and economic growth. (IPoA, paragraphs 70, 71). national policy-relevant discussions on issues pertinent to human development. The HDR website comprises data for the Similarly to other areas of the IPoA, the human and social LDC group, and for almost all the specific LDCs, on the Human development component of the Programme of Action is Development Index (HDI)–a summary measure of average closely aligned with the SDGs and with the “leave no one achievement in key dimensions of human development (a behind” principle of the 2030 Agenda. However, the LDCs are long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and having a still falling behind on several Goals. According to the 2019 decent standard of living). The website also contains data for edition of the Sustainable Development Goals Report: the LDC group and for specific LDCs on different areas (e.g. • In 2017 the early childhood education participation rate demography; education; environmental sustainability; socio- was only 43% in LDCs. economic sustainability; gender; health; human security; • Data from 2013–2018 shows that the LDCs have fewer inequality; mobility and communication; trade and financial than 10 medical doctors per 10,000 people, and 98% flows; and work, employment and vulnerability). have fewer than 40 nursing and midwifery personnel The following sub-sections provide other examples of suc- per 10,000 people. cessful measures and initiatives implemented by the UN • The proportion of women in managerial positions has System to support the LDCs on the human and social devel- increased for all country groupings, except for LDCs opment areas of the IPoA. since 2000.

• In 2017, three out of five people worldwide had a basic I. Education and training handwashing facility with soap and water on the prem- Several organizations reported that they have put in place ises, compared with less than one out of three (28%) education and training initiatives to build LDC capacities on in LDCs. various IPoA priority areas. Some approaches and tools have been developed by the UN UNESCO has developed targeted actions towards strength- system to assess human and social development in countries, ening education and training in the LDCs. For example, since including in LDCs. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2010, it supports the development of the technical and published by UNDP, in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty vocational education and training (TVET) in Madagascar, and Human Development Initiative (OPHDI), helps to assess which led to policy-level support for increased governance global poverty in all its dimensions, and assesses deprivation and funding. As a result, public spending for TVET under across three dimensions, namely i) health, ii) education and the general education budget increased from 2.2% in 2008 iii) standard of living, using 10 indicators. The 2020 edition of to 3.8% in 2014; over 3,000 youth were trained; the National the MPI report ‘Charting pathways out of multidimensional Employment and TVET Policy was adopted in 2015 before poverty: Achieving the SDGs’ finds that Sierra Leone made being translated into law; and a National Fund for Vocational the fastest progress in reducing its global MPI value, alongside Training was set up. Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe, which are among the 10 Sub-Saharan African countries that UNESCO also joined Zambia’s efforts to develop profession- are moving the fastest in reducing that value. The report al standards of practice for its teaching force in order to im- also indicates that within the 1.3 billion people still living in prove teacher quality and effectiveness, school performance, multidimensional poverty today, more than 80% are deprived and to strengthen the continuous professional development in at least five of the ten indicators used to measure health, of teachers in the country. It is further supporting the estab- education and living standards in the global MPI. It reveals that lishment of ICT teacher education centers to equip teacher the burden of multidimensional poverty disproportionately educators and teachers with competences in the use of ICTs. falls on children, with half of the 1.3 billion poor having not As a result, Zambia launched its very first teacher training yet turned 18. standards at the end of 2019.

45 Moreover, since 2016, more than eight million African youth education and alternative pathways. UNFPA and UNICEF aged 8 to 24 have been introduced to digital literacy and to implement the programme in the following high-prevalence “computer coding” through the Africa Code Week, an initiative LDCs: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique, driven by UNESCO in partnership with SAP to instill digital Nepal, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. literacy and coding skills in the young generation. So far, Key results from 2017 comprise the strengthened critical the Africa Code Week has included 23 African LDCs, and skills of 27,000 adolescent girls in Uganda such as life-skills girls’ empowerment through technology continues to be and financial literacy through school clubs and Go Back to a key priority for the initiative. According to the UNESCO’s School campaigns. Also, 68,000 adolescents in Bangladesh Draft Medium-term Strategy, 2014–2021, one focus of the received counselling and gender-responsive health services Organization is to address the concerns of African youth, through 70 health service centres which were housed within considering that Africa will have a population of two billion, existing public facilities. consisting mostly of young people, by 2050. The FAO supports the Dimitra Clubs, which are voluntary, ITU has a dedicated Division that focuses on capacity and informal groups of women, men and youth that seek to discuss skills development for developing countries with a priority on common problems and determine ways to address them by the LDCs. Each of the six regions (Africa, the Americas, Arab acting together and using local resources. The Organization States, Asia-Pacific, Commonwealth of Independent States, facilitates their set up and provides them with training and and Europe) has six Centres of Excellence that run capacity coaching, but the clubs themselves are self-managed. There building courses in areas of priority to the region, including are currently over 3,500 Dimitra Clubs in sub-Saharan Africa on emerging technologies (e.g. Internet of things, big data, including in LDCs such as Burundi, Central African Republic, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, statistics and indicators, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Niger. ICT applications, and infrastructure development). ITU also According to FAO, the Clubs’ approach has changed the uses both the ITU Academy online platform and a plethora lives of more than two million people, contributing to better of face-to-face delivered training activities and projects, with food security and nutrition, to the management of natural a view to close the knowledge gap. All the 47 LDCs benefited resources, to adaptation to climate change, and peace and from ITU’s skills and capacity building initiatives by enrolling resilience, among other objectives. in online courses through the ITU Academy, face-to-face training workshops, and by participating in the ITU’s Centres UNIDO worked on building vocational capacities for displaced of Excellence programme. Moreover, ITU co-organized the groups in South Sudan, and on introducing entrepreneurship annual UNESCO Mobile Learning Week that has attracted within Angola’s secondary school curriculum. Also, UNCDF participants from LDCs from across the globe. has taken action to integrate financial education as a core life skill into national curricula, and through various training UNFPA and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched and financial service centers in the Solomon Islands, several the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child African countries and other developing countries. Marriage (2016–2019). The joint programme promotes the rights of adolescent girls to avert marriage and pregnancy, A selection of additional trainings and education programmes and enables them to achieve their aspirations through in LDCs is outlined in Box 19.

46 Box 19. Examples of trainings and education programmes in LDCs

WIPO’s training programmes on intellectual property: WIPO’s Division for Least Developed Countries, in cooperation with the Government of Sweden, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), provides training programmes for the benefit of LDCs. These programmes focus on building technical capacity in the use of intellectual property systems to advance and achieve national development objectives, sustained economic growth and technological innovation in LDCs. Senior officials participating in the trainings programmes are expected to design, formulate and implement a national project on the basis of nationally identified needs in the area of intellectual property, and as a result, introduce change in national social, economic, cultural and scientific institutions. This project-based implementation approach ensures self-reliance and empowerment. The outcome of the national projects is discussed during a follow-up meeting of the training programme, which takes place in one of the LDCs or a developing country for further future refinement. WIPO also provides LDCs with a number of short, medium and long-term training programmes on intellectual property, including Masters Programme in cooperation with educational Institutions in Europe, Asia, and Africa. From 2010 to 2020, approximately 195 participants from LDCs have benefited from the WIPO’s Joint Master’s Programs.

IAEA training programmes and educational ‘sandwich’ fellowship programmes: Among other capacity building services, the IAEA supports the establishment of local academic and practical training programmes (both short- and long-term programmes) in nuclear science and technology in LDCs that are cost-effective. In collaboration with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), it offers a training programme in the field of medical physics (Masters in Medical Physics programme). The Agency also offers educational ‘sandwich’ fellowship programmes, where the felalows’ experience is enriched by both local studies and training abroad, concluded with a degree awarded to successful fellows by their native country.

UNCTAD’s training courses, and online and in-person workshops: UNCTAD hosts multiple training courses, and online and in-person workshops for LDCs. For instance, it delivers tailored short courses for delegates from permanent missions based in Geneva, including representatives of LDCs (an example is available here). These courses provide the latest findings of UNCTAD research on cross-divisional trade and development issues, ranging from leveraging trade for the SDGs, trade and inequality, measuring illicit financial flows, to designing an inclusive gender-responsive trade policy. The organization also supported LDCs’ efforts on technology transfer and access to medicines by organizing a regional workshop on technology transfer and public health in Dakar (Senegal), in cooperation with UNDP, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and Yolse Public Health and Innovation. Following the regional workshop, the directors of the beneficiary countries’ national intellectual property offices and national health directorates agreed on a set of recommendations to enhance coherence among domestic policies and improve communication with the secretariat of the African Intellectual Property Organization.

On other measures to improve education and training in LDCs, on ‘Developing Minds, Empowering Communities’ to sup- the ILO uses the Training for Rural Economic Empowerment port the construction of an educational resource centre in tool (TREE) to strengthen community-based learning. TREE Rivercess County. The project involved the construction of provides a methodology for the economic empowerment a learning resource center with six reading rooms, a mini of underprivileged groups, and has been applied in around library, a computer lab with 20 desktop computers, and a 20 countries (including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of women’s training space. The project includes computer liter- Congo, and the Central African Republic), often with a focus on acy trainings, and will likely improve the reading proficiency women and young people. ILO also supports LDCs (including of 300 students, including through trainings for teachers. the United Republic of Tanzania, Sudan, and Burkina Faso) through the upgrading informal apprenticeships, and works II. Population and primary health on the recognition of prior learning (RPL) in countries such A variety of measures of support have been provided to the as the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, and Bangladesh. LDCs to improve health and population related areas, such RPL is a process of identifying, documenting, assessing and as: strengthening health care services; combating non-com- certifying formal, non-formal and informal learning outcomes municable diseases and other illnesses; reducing maternal against standards used in formal education and training. A mortality and improving maternal and newborn health; build- learning package on this topic was published by ILO in 2018. ing health facilities; and supporting persons with disabilities Finally, under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, as well as women’s sexual and reproductive health. Some managed by UNOSSC, UNICEF worked on a project in Liberia successful examples of support are outlined in Box 20. 47 Box 20. Examples of successful health-related support projects

Strengthening primary health care in Timor-Leste–WHO: After health infrastructure was damaged by conflict when Timor- Leste regained independence in 2002, and again in 2006, WHO supported the Ministry of Health for the Saude na Familia (Health in the Family Programme) by undertaking domiciliary visits. In the spirit of the SDG’s principle of “leaving no one behind,” the programme succeeded in visiting and registering 90% of the country’s households by the end of 2016. WHO efforts also led the political engagement at the highest level for the anti-tobacco campaign, accelerating approval of a comprehensive tobacco control law, followed by an anti-smoking advocacy campaign. In addition, the Organization provided key assistance to the launching of the new immunization schedule with five new vaccinations, including hepatitis B birth dose and measles-rubella vaccine. As a results, the coverage for DTP (vaccine to protect from Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) improved from 72% in 2010 to 85% in 2016. Finally, the WHO’s technical assistance played an important role in maintaining the low incidence rate of malaria with Timor-Leste, which was set to enter the pre-elimination phase by 2018. According to this article from WHO, to address malaria and the number of other communicable diseases of concern, the Organization supported the development and implementation of a number of strategic plans and policies and programmes, including: the National Malaria Elimination Strategy (2018–2021); the National TB (Tuberculosis) Strategy (2018–2022) and Programme; and the Integrated Neglected Tropical Diseases Control and Elimination Programme (2016–2021). WHO notes that with sustained efforts, malaria should be eliminated by 2021.

Supporting Mauritania in reducing maternal mortality–UNOSSC, WHO: Under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, managed by UNOSSC, WHO initiated a project, in 2018, on ‘Enhancing Capacity to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Nouakchott,’ Mauritania. Conducted in partnership with the Mauritania Ministry of Health, the project aimed at reducing overall preventable maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rates through improvements to health infrastructure and health professional trainings in newborn delivery. Within one year of implementation, the project had resulted in: the upgrade and modernization of 10 out of 16 health facilities; the reinforcement of a management system to improve coordination of policy standards to fight maternal mortality in three administrative provinces of Nouakchott; improvements to the infrastructure of 24 health facilities (all targeted health structures having received adequate sanitary equipment, drugs, and consumables needed for interventions); the training of all health workers in charge of maternal and neonatal health at targeted facilities, and of 89 midwives to give essential neonatal emergency obstetric care; the presence of personnel qualified to apply policy standards and maternal and neonatal health procedures in 13 health facilities; and 100% of maternal deaths audited in the regions. More information on the project is available here and here.

ITU’s support to combating non-communicable diseases through the Be He@lthy Be Mobile initiative: The Be He@lthy, Be Mobile is a joint initiative between ITU and the WHO that aims at scaling up national mobile health programmes for non-communicable diseases, building and strengthening mobile health tools and knowledge, and catalyzing and supporting digital health solutions for non-communicable diseases. Among other functions, the initiative uses mobile phone technology to deliver disease prevention and management information directly to mobile phone users, and strengthens health systems by providing training to health workers.

As part of the “Be He@lthy, Be Mobile” programme, a successful initiative was the mobile diabetes (m-Diabetes) project in Senegal. Launched in November 2014, the project sought to address that most of the country’s estimated diabetes cases were going undiagnosed, which prompted the Government to focus on influencing individual awareness of the disease. Be He@lthy, Be Mobile is working with Senegal to make use of mobiles to: increase awareness about diabetes through SMS messages; train health workers through a mobile training (mTraining) programme using SMS and smartphone based educational programmes; and provide remote consultation services and management support for people with diabetes. Members of the country’s diabetes patient association, health professionals and the general public are encouraged to sign up to receive free text messages that aim to increase awareness and help people with diabetes to avoid the complications that can be triggered by fasting and feasting. The 2016 version of its mRamadan campaign, an SMS-based information service for people with diabetes during Ramadan fasting, saw 50,000 individual users signing up for the service. According to ITU, the project has triggered additional eHealth initiatives in Senegal, including Ebola control efforts, and serves as a model for other countries in their fight against non-communicable diseases.

48 UNODC support on HIV prevention, treatment and care: Among other activities, UNODC supported Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia, in ensuring compliance with HIV, Health and Human Rights Principles for People in Prison Settings, and in aligning HIV and sexual and reproductive health services with the UN standard minimum rules in prisons. In Zambia, the Organization supported the National HIV Council to develop a five-year key populations monitoring and evaluation plan. In collaboration with UNDP, it also provided technical advice to the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance to address the legal and policy barriers for accessing comprehensive HIV and sexual and reproductive health services among people who inject drugs and people in prisons. Moreover, in Ethiopia, UNODC, in collaboration with UNHCR, led an assessment on drug use vulnerabilities, risk factors, and available health services among refugees.

IAEA’s assistance on nuclear medicine and radiotherapy facilities: IAEA supported LDCs (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia) in establishing nuclear medicine and radiotherapy facilities and make high-quality services available to millions of people. Support included the training of medical staff and technicians, the procurement of equipment, and the set up and the improvement of radiation safety for patients. For example, in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Bugando Medical Centre started radiotherapy services in 2018 serving a population of approximately 13 million people in the North and North-west part of the country, easing the pressure on the only existing radiotherapy facility at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar Es Salaam. In Cambodia, the first National Cancer Centre was established and inaugurated in January 2018 and has been in operation since then. The Centre is designed to cover up to 60% of the national demand for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

49 AIDS test at the laboratory in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO Funds have also been made available by the UN system to ESCAP is developing a guidebook on using ICT to address assist LDCs, and some have delivered very positive outcomes. the health care needs of older persons. It is also establishing For example: a monitoring framework (based on SDGs) to help member states, particularly LDCs, assess the status of implemen- • The Maternal and New-born Health Thematic Fund tation of population-related SDGs, which correspond to the (MHTF)–UNFPA’s flagship programme for improving priority actions of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declara- maternal and newborn health and well-being, creat- tion on Population and Development (forthcoming). ESCAP ed in 2008–is now in its third phase (2018-2022) and published a policy paper on ‘Inequality of Opportunity: Wom- continues support to 39 countries with the highest en’s Sexual and Reproductive Health’, which uses innovative needs. Those include the following LDCs: Afghanistan; methods to identify the “furthest behind” in women’s and Bangladesh; Benin; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Central girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health services. The African Republic; Chad; Democratic Republic of the paper specifically explores gaps in access to skilled birth at- Congo; Ethiopia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Haiti; Lao tendance and in the use of modern contraceptive methods. People’s Democratic Republic; Liberia; Madagascar; It covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mozambique; Nepal; Niger; People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vanuatu, Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; among other countries. Sudan; Timor-Leste; Togo; Uganda; Yemen; and Zambia. As shown in the MHTF annual report 2018, key results Regarding capacity building initiatives, an important part of included: 21 MHTF-supported countries had put in UNFPA’s work is to strengthen national capacities to ensure place national strategies to end fistula; and 12 had mea- that population and housing censuses are of high quality sures to monitor implementation and track progress of and uphold international principles and standards. Within its planned interventions to end the condition. The MHTF activities, UNFPA provides support to governments, includ- catalytic effect also encouraged several countries to ing LDCs (such as Afghanistan, Angola and Myanmar) for mobilize additional national and international funding census planning, implementation, and for the application of for improving maternal and newborn health. geographic information systems to improve census quality • The Voluntary Fund on disability, managed by DESA, and coverage in inaccessible or insecure areas. has been disbursing grants since the 1980s to build UNODC worked with Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, and capacity on disability inclusion in developing countries, the United Republic of Tanzania, to strengthen human including in LDCs. For example, in 2017–2018, the Fund rights-centered and public health-focused policies for peo- supported a project on infrastructure accessibility stan- ple who inject drugs. In Myanmar specifically, UNODC built dards and international road signs for persons with the capacity of over 500 key stakeholders (state and re- disabilities in Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania. gional level health authorities, community leaders and law Other LDCs that benefited from capacity building initia- enforcement officials) in five priority states and regions, to tives supported by this Fund include Burkina Faso, Niger, implement a newly adopted human rights-centered and Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. public health-focused national drug policy. It also worked on • In Myanmar, UNOPS, as the principal recipient of the improving prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS, viral Global Fund, has been assisting the Ministry of Health hepatitis and other blood-borne infectious diseases access and Sports (MOHS) in managing USD 358 million worth for people who inject drugs. of Fund grants over a seven-year period (2011–2017). Finally, FAO plans to hold a series of trainings in 2020 to UNOPS provided comprehensive, efficient financial develop country capacity on management, interpreta- management services to nationwide efforts to reduce tion and reporting of data related to the Minimum Dietary the transmission of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, Diversity Score for Women of Reproductive Age (MDD-W), and to enhance care and treatment through access to an indicator operationalized in three LDCs (Cambodia, essential drugs and related services. The project was Zambia and Ethiopia) The Organization also developed the renewed for an additional three-year period (2018–2020) course ‘Education for Effective Nutrition in Action (ENACT)’ with funding of USD 154 million. which targets universities and other tertiary education insti- On other developments, guidelines and policy papers have tutes. Over the past two years, the uptake of the course has been developed by ESCAP to address health issues. As such, been promoted in Malawi.

50 III. Youth development its strategy, UNFPA defines its approach to collaborate with,

As noted by the UN Secretary-General Envoy on Youth, there invest in and champion young people around the world. are currently 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 Beyond strategic commitments, ways to support youth in to 24 worldwide, of which 90% live in developing countries, LDCs vary from one organization to another, ranging from and their numbers are expected to continue to grow, having a Division that addresses youth related issues (ITU) especially in the least developed regions. to providing online tools, capacity building assistance, As shown by the great number of best practices received or funding towards youth development. Many of the by IACG members for this project, youth development is a examples shared by UN system entities and other related topic that is becoming increasingly important for the UN organizations seek to support youth entrepreneurship and system. This is perhaps a response to the UN Youth Strategy employment (including rural employment), while others aim that seeks to “significantly strengthen the UN’s capacity to at strengthening capacity on issues such as ICT, decision- engage young people and benefit from their views, insights making participation, and management and finance. Selected and ideas.” For instance, UNFPA has developed its own examples of UN programmes and projects for youth support Adolescent and Youth Strategy “My Body, My Life, My World” are outlined in Boxes 21 and 22. to implement the UN system-wide youth strategy. Through

Box 21. Examples of programmes for youth in Africa and Asia-Pacific

Youth Co:Lab programme–UNDP, Citi Foundation: Youth Co:Lab is a programme co-created by UNDP and the Citi Foundation to empower and invest in youth in the Asia-Pacific region. It seeks to accelerate SDG implementation through youth leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme has been implemented in six LDCs (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu). It has engaged 75,000 youths, and supported and scaled up 600 start-ups led by youths across 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

YouthConnekt Africa (YCA) Initiative–Government of Rwanda, UNDP: YCA is an African home-grown initiative that seeks to provide relevant solutions for the global South, and to support the implementation of relevant South-South initiatives to empower youth. Initiated by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with UNDP, YCA comprises a Hub that operates as a pan-African platform with the vision of connecting African youth for socio-economic transformation to contribute to the achievement the SDGs, the AU 2063 agenda, and the AU Youth Charter through ambitious targets. Those include creating 10 million jobs for youth, empowering 25 million youth with skills, connecting 100 million young Africans, nurturing 1 million young leaders, and closing the gender gap. In terms of concrete results, YouthConnekt allowed to: train, mentor and provide “seed funding” to 540 young innovators; create more than 8,300 jobs; engage more than 18,000 youth in national policy dialogue through the yearly YouthConnekt conventions; involve more than 1,000,000 youth in civic engagement activities within their communities through the YouthConnekt month and holiday programme; and establish more than 20 partnerships with government, development partners, civil society, academia and private sector organizations. YouthConnekt has scaled up beyond Rwanda to 14 African countries, including several LDCs (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Guinea, Madagascar, and The Gambia), and, at the time of writing this report, Togo, Mali, Ethiopia, and Sao Tome and Principe were in the advance stage of launching YouthConnekt country programmes.

FAO Integrated Country Approach: The FAO Integrated Country Approach (ICA) is a programme that seeks to help youth access more and better employment opportunities in rural areas and agri-food systems. The integrated nature of the approach refers, inter alia, to its multilevel scope: at global and regional level, ICA contributes to efforts to promote decent rural employment issues in the agricultural and rural development discourse; and at the country level, it supports governments in developing strategies, policies, and programmes to improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities for rural youth, taking due consideration of the country context, different levels of development and national capacity. Rural youth are empowered as agents of economic development and actively engaged into policy dialogue. ICA is currently in its third phase and operational in Senegal, Uganda and Rwanda.

51 Yapasa–FAO, ILO: Yapasa, a joint UN programme of FAO and ILO, takes a market systems development approach, and aims to inspire companies working in the chosen value chains to coordinate more effectively, to develop and refine business models that include youth and “make good business sense.” The programme facilitated the creation of sustainable employment opportunities for rural youth through the promotion of MSME in Zambia. It resulted in the creation of more than 2,000 jobs for rural youth and in the improved performance of over 8,000 youth-led rural enterprises.

UNCTAD’s eFounders Fellowship Programme: The Fellowship Programme is supporting 1000 entrepreneurs in developing countries–especially Africa and LDCs–to become catalysts for the digital transformation in their home countries. The programme is designed to help bridge the digital divide faced by young entrepreneurs in developing countries and allow them to grasp the opportunities of inclusive e-commerce ecosystems. Participating entrepreneurs commit to share the knowledge gained with their communities and as champions of the new economy, to contribute to UNCTAD’s research work and events.

UNited for Youth Employment in Cambodia–ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, and UN Volunteers (UNV): ILO is engaged in the ‘UNited for Youth Employment in Cambodia,’ a UN Joint Programme involving ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNV, which has provided assistance to Cambodia in facilitating young people’s employment while reducing inequalities among disadvantaged youth. Launched in 2017, the programme is entering its second phase. Significant outputs to date include: an expanded database for the National Employment Agency to ensure a better match between job offer and demand; and the production of more robust labor market information to support young job seekers in their efforts to find training and jobs.

ILO’s ‘Jobs for Peace and Resilience Programme’: ILO’s ‘Jobs for Peace and Resilience Programme’ focuses on boosting employment opportunities for youth in conflict-affected and disaster-prone countries. The programme applies employment- intensive investment strategies that combine immediate job creation with skills training and support for local enterprises. This programme has been operational since 2018 in several countries including the Central African Republic, Comoros, Sierra Leone, and Somalia.

UNESCO’s Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) programme: The O3 programme supports delivery of quality comprehensive sexuality education that empowers adolescents and young people through the development of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and competencies required for preventing HIV, reducing early and unintended pregnancies, and eliminating gender-based violence. Implemented since 2018, the O3 programme is the largest comprehensive sexuality education programme in Sub- Saharan Africa, aiming to reach some 24,9 million adolescents and young people across 33 countries, 20 out of which are LDCs. As a result of UNESCO’s efforts to engage governments to improve the sustainability of good quality comprehensive sexuality education, the latter was, for instance, incorporated into the United Republic of Tanzania’s National Acceleration Investment Agenda for Adolescents Health and Well-being 2019-2023. In Zambia, the programme has already improved access to comprehensive sexuality education for two million young people between the ages of five and 12, and is expected to benefit another two million learners, 115,000 teachers and four million members of the community.

52 Box 22. Examples of youth related projects supported by organizations of the UN system

Rural Youth Mobility project–FAO: Through the Rural Youth Mobility (RYM) project, FAO promoted innovative pathways for decent youth employment in areas prone to migration. In particular, RYM provided unemployed youth with training and equipment, helping to develop their own small agricultural enterprises and productively investing the remittances received from the diaspora. The RYM project was launched in 2015 to address the main drivers of rural migration of youth in Ethiopia and Tunisia, while at the same time harnessing the development potential of migratory movements.

Supporting youth employability in Cambodia–UNOSSC, UNV, Cambodia Government, Cambodia Volunteering Network: In partnership with the Cambodia Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and the Cambodia Volunteering Network, UNV is implementing a project in Cambodia on ‘Poverty Reduction among Youth.’ The project, supported by the India, Brazil and South Africa Fund (IBSA), managed by UNOSSC, seeks to: develop youth volunteers’ skill sets for increased employability; facilitate skills training and accreditation of youth; provide tools to engage in social entrepreneurship; and contribute to building the capacity of the Government of Cambodia in implementing mechanisms to manage volunteers and enhance cooperation with the private sector, civil society and academia. The project includes volunteer programmes focused on developing transferable skills of over 1,000 youth who are matched with volunteer placements and will be able to pursue paid opportunities afterwards.

ITC’s Gambia Youth Empowerment project: The ITC’s Gambia Youth Empowerment project focuses on empowering young people in tourism, ICT and agribusiness by improving the skills and employability of potential and returning migrants to meet the needs of the job market. The project simultaneously creates entrepreneurship opportunities along value chains. The overall goals of the project are to create 4,000 jobs, provide access to finance for 4,000 youth, and improve the skills of 4,000 youth.

‘Enhancing Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development’ project–UNDP: In Lesotho, the ‘Enhancing Youth Empow- erment for Sustainable Development’ (EYES) project seeks to enhance creative thinking and innovations for entrepreneurship and social development amongst the youth. The project includes trainings and boot camps for young entrepreneurs, and comprises the dissemination of relevant information on business, registration and funding to young people.

Bangladesh “Hackaton”–UNDP: In Bangladesh, UNDP partnered with Facebook and the Bangladesh Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology to launch the Digital Khichuri Challenge (DKC), a “hackathon” to promote and reinforce tolerant and inclusive narratives. The initiative has engaged more than 10 thousand youth across the country and supported more than 60 teams. It also provided incubations support to develop prototype which mostly focus on fake news tracker, video games, visual production on counter narratives. The initiative is part of the Bangladesh’s Partnership for a tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) Project.

Evidence-Based Policy Action on Youth Development in Africa: Young People’s Contributions to Peace and Security’–DESA: The project seeks to strengthen the capacities of governments and civil society, including youth and youth-led organizations, on evidence-based formulation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes that address the concerns of the Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth Peace and Security. Funded by the UN Development Account programme, the project has been implemented since 2016 and will continue to be carried out in three African nations, namely: Burkina Faso (LDC), Togo (LDC) and Côte d’Ivoire. DESA also publishes the ‘World Youth Reports.’

53 Additional activities were organized by the UN system Box 23. Examples of tools made available by to strengthen youth capacity on topics such as the UN system to assist youth in LDCs decision-making participation, or management and UNDP one-stop youth (Timor-Leste): UNDP established finance. In this regard, UNIDO supported job training a one-stop Youth Hub in Timor-Leste that provides skills for youth in Guinea, and ILO worked with the Ministry development support for youth on innovation, employability, of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Uganda and entrepreneurship. Through the Youth Hub, the UNDP to implement an entrepreneurship training programme country office helped around 5000 youth developed their to provide managerial and financial literacy training to skills, out of which more than 30 are entrepreneurs, more young men and women. than 20 are employed, and others have gained knowledge Specific funding mechanisms have also been made through social business training, business networking, available to support youth empowerment, financial in- engineering design challenge, and pre-internship training clusion and other objectives. For instance, UN-Habitat and internship. launched an Urban Youth Fund to empower global Uganda Graduate Volunteer Scheme–UNDP, UNV: In Uganda, youth by providing grants and capacity building to the Uganda Graduate Volunteer Scheme, supported by selected organizations in developing countries, and by UNDP and UNV is aimed at enhancing young graduates’ providing vocational training and credit mechanisms employability and at bridging their transition to work for entrepreneurship and employment. through volunteerism. Young graduates have been provid- Also, since 2010, UNCDF has been working to increase ed with workspaces to gain employability skills. To date, access to financial services to young people. To date, more than 200 young people have been placed in various the Fund has provided almost 1,000,000 young peo- host institutions, after having been trained, oriented, men- ple (of which 53% are young women) with access to tored and supported. financial services, and training in financial education. Hubs and co-working spaces in Vanuatu and the Solomon Another example of financial support is the ‘Jobs, Islands–UNDP: UNDP helped to establish several inno- Skills and Finance (JSF) for Women and Youth in The vation hubs and co-working spaces in Vanuatu and the Gambia Programme.’ Implemented jointly between Solomon Islands to strengthen the Pacific regional innova- UNCDF and ITC under the auspices of The Gambia tion network that engages governments, the private sector Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the pro- and the University of South Pacific. More than 600 youth gramme uses a combination of grants, technical entrepreneurs regularly use the hub to access trainings, assistance and convening power to support finan- social and financial services and networks. Furthermore, cial inclusion for women and youth along with the creation of 3,000 direct jobs through MSME devel- UNDP in the Pacific launched a crowd funding/impact opment, cash for work and technical and vocational investment platform with a 10-week long enterprise ac- training and education. celerator program to support young entrepreneurs and women in business in the Pacific. On other initiatives of support, organizations have set ESCAP Youth Policy Toolbox: ESCAP has developed a up hubs, among many tools, to assist young people in Youth Policy Toolbox that includes training modules and LDCs. A selection of these tools is highlighted in Box 23. tips for youth, such as ways to improve employment prospects, and to better understand the school-to-work transition. It also comprises a section for policy-makers that provides information about ways to engage youth in policy, as well as good practices from several LDCs.

54 Finally, partnerships, networking initiatives, as well as advi- locally as game changers in their communities and sory groups have been put in place by the UN system to en- countries. Created by youth, the initiative enables local hance youth participation in initiatives and decision-making action by setting up SDG-related projects, and is active processes. For example: in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Mozambique, the United Republic of • UNDRR supports the African Union Commission’s Africa Tanzania and Uganda. Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction to enhance meaningful engagement and participation of IV. Housing young African people in DRR activities and initiatives. Contrarily to the youth development area (above), a limited Among other functions, the Advisory Board engages number of best practices were shared by UN system entities with the African Union Commission, Regional Economic and other related organizations on housing. However, these Communities, National and Local governments in creat- cover various support measures, including programmes, ing DRR strategies that are youth inclusive. tools, reports, guidelines and trainings, and are related • DESA supports the participation of youth from LDCs in to topics such as upgrading slums, the right to adequate the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, a UNGA- housing, and green buildings. mandated, official, formal and self-organized space for Within the UN system, UN-Habitat, which “strives for ade- children and youth under 30 year old to contribute to, quate shelter with better living standards for all,” supports and engage in, certain intergovernmental and policy all levels of government in formulating and implementing processes at the UN. progressive sector reforms and policies that contribute • UNODC organizes annual Youth Fora on the margins to the creation of inclusive and affordable housing for all. of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where Based in over 90 countries, the organization also provides youth leaders (including from the LDCs) come to learn, expertise to support the sound analysis of the housing exchange their experiences and address global policy sector and especially the review of key legislation affect- makers. For example, during the Youth Forum 2018, ing affordable housing provision. A successful measure a young person from Nepal presented the final youth shared by UN-Habitat for this project is the Participatory statement in plenary, in front of high-level delegations. Slum Upgrading Programme that seeks to integrate slum • The 2018 UNCTAD Youth Forum led to the Youth Action dwellers into the broader “urban fabric” and adopt a positive Hubs initiative, that allows youth to engage globally to stance towards slum dwellers and in-situ slum upgrading, give their views on matters within UNCTAD’s mandate, using city-wide participatory planning methods. This pro- and provide a space that will inspire youth to take action gramme is highlighted in Box 24.

Box 24. UN-Habitat Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUS)

The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) focuses on the biggest deprivations for slum communities: the lack of adequate and safe housing conditions, clean water supply, sanitation and secure land tenure. It concentrates on waste management, gender equality and human rights, climate resilience and participation of the local communities in the slum upgrading process.

A joint effort between ACP, the European Commission and UN-Habitat, the programme has been implemented in several LDCs, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, The Gambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Uganda, Solomon Islands, and Haiti. Among other accomplish- ments, the programme has: • Improved the lives of more than 22 million slum dwellers through physical infrastructure interventions, the facilitation of livelihood generation activities and better skills and capacity. • Fostered positive institutional approaches towards slum dwellers in more than 35 different countries, which includes the development of specific slum upgrading strategies. • Raised awareness on urban development issues at the sub-regional, national and local levels.

55 Building the green homes project in Zambia. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO

Moreover, UN-Habitat supported African LDCs such as the creation of decent and green jobs’ that draws on Malawi, Zambia and Liberia in developing housing profiles, concrete experiences and case studies to improve the which serve as diagnostic tools to provides governments understanding of conditions required for developing and other stakeholders with a systematic analysis of housing green building and construction at country level. The delivery systems at city and national levels. Profiles help to Organization also provided trainings in Green Construc- disclose bottlenecks, and to identify gaps and opportunities tion Business, in which LDCs such as Zambia and Mo- in the housing sector that prevent the housing market from zambique participated. working properly. Housing profiles are published for many countries, and are available here. Also, in 2017, UN-Habitat, V. Water and sanitation in cooperation with the South Sudan Government, and the Many programmes and projects related to water and sanita- Government of Japan, launched a project to provide war tion have been implemented in LDCs, in addition to network- veterans with shelter and livelihood options as a key element ing (alliances, meetings) and other initiatives. Topics covered of re-integrating them and achieving peace. by the best practices shared by UN system entities and other related organizations include accountability, financing trans- On other helpful initiatives that are relevant to consider for boundary and multi-sectoral water cooperation, restoring the LDCs: degraded wetlands and associated catchments, implement- • The OHCHR Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate ing integrated water resource management (IWRM), improv- housing devoted her final report to the Human Rights ing water access and quality, working towards the realization Council to an articulation of guidelines which outline key of the human rights to water and sanitation, and improving elements needed for the effective implementation of the monitoring and reporting on access to water supply and san- right to housing. The guidelines seek to assist States itation. and other stakeholders in responding to the global Examples of programmes and projects carried out by the UN housing crisis. system are outlined in Box 25. • The ILO has developed a course on ‘Green building and construction: pathway towards inclusive growth and

56 Box 25. Selected successful programmes and projects related to water and sanitation

UNDP’s work with LDCs towards achieving SDG 6: UNDP has worked with several LDCs towards achieving SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), such as Myanmar, Uganda and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In Myanmar, with the support from the Government of Norway, UNDP is working with state and local governments to draft a new law to help reverse the environmental degradation, and ensure an equitable and fair distribution of resources and responsibilities on a watershed in Inle Lake. The second largest lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake’s biodiversity is under threat by deforestation, pollution, unsustainable agriculture and tourism. In Uganda, UNDP is involved in the ‘Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments’ project, which seeks to: restore degraded wetlands and associated catchments; and improve the lives of the people living in 20 districts of the Eastern and South Western areas of Uganda that have experienced the highest levels of wetland degradation and climate change impacts. Financed by the Green Climate Fund, and supported by UNDP, the project started in 2017 and will run through 2025. In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, UNDP supported utility management with the aim of reducing the risk of corruption. Current work focuses on providing guidance on the most suitable climate change resilient strategies to improve water resources management. Tools will be developed and implemented to improve the actual understanding of floods and droughts and the consequences of climate change on water resources.

UNEP Wadi el Ku catchment management project: In Sudan, the “Wadi el Ku catchment management project” focused on: expanding the science base on water management; building community and government capacity; and constructing wiers and canals. It led to better access to water for local communities and to a greater resilience of livelihoods in a conflict-affected region suffering from water scarcity and from the increasingly unpredictable rainfall as a result of climate change. In line with its Freshwater Strategy 2017–2021, UNEP also works to address freshwater management worldwide, including in LDCs, on: tackling global water quality challenges; protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems; advancing IWRM approaches; and addressing water-related conflicts and disasters in support of peaceful and resilient societies.

IAEA’s assistance to Malawi and Sahel countries on water quality: The IAEA assisted Malawi in establishing the technical capacity for its Central Water Laboratory to monitor and manage water resources using isotopic techniques. IAEA also helped the Sahel countries in Africa to obtain a first-ever comprehensive overview of groundwater characteristics with information on the origin, recharge sources, flow patterns and contamination levels of five major transboundary aquifer systems (the Iullemeden Aquifer System, the Liptako-Gourma-Upper Volta System, the Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, the Lake Chad Basin, and the Taoudeni Basin shared by 13 African Member States, including Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo). This information will enable development of reliable water system models for policymakers and implementers to take evidence-based decisions on national and transboundary water management. More on this project is available here.

Supporting Ethiopia in improving water supply, public health and environmental quality–UNIDO: UNIDO introduces, pilots and builds institutional capacities for managing sanitation and clean-water related technologies. Among other activities, the Organization is assisting Ethiopia in improving water supply, public health and environmental quality. Launched in 2019 by UNIDO and the Water Development Commission of Ethiopia, the project seeks to: improve the provision of clean water through solar-powered water sanitation systems under conditions of equality and gender equity; develop the technical capacity of communities to independently operate water sanitation systems and improve awareness of public health; and build the capacity of industry, engineering, procurement and construction contractors in order to strengthen their role in Ethiopia’s water and sanitation sectors.

Supporting Zambia on safe and clean drinking water–WIPO: Under the WIPO’s transfer of appropriate technology project, WIPO transferred solar water distillation to Zambia to address the issue of limited access to safe and clean drinking water. The technology makes use of the abundant solar energy in the country, is affordable by a majority of people, and can be widely disseminated.

57 In addition, through the Stockholm International Water which water is examined (as a human right, a shared resource Institute (SIWI) and the UNDP-SIWI Water Governance or a service) and the many objectives that governments pur- Facility partnership, UNDP collaborates with UNICEF on the sue should be considered in a holistic and integrated manner. Accountability for Sustainability programme, which advanc- Finally, the OHCHR Special Rapporteur on the human rights es upstream governance issues as a way to improve the sus- to safe drinking water and sanitation issued reports to tainability of interventions to improve water and sanitation services delivery. The programme’s activities include devel- the Human Rights Council focused on the role regulatory oping materials and practical guidance for UNICEF country frameworks in the implementation of the human rights to offices and the wider water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) water and sanitation at national level, and gender equality community, and collecting experience on how accountabili- in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation. ty can be adequately reinforced within WASH programming. Following his official visit to Lesotho in 2019, he also issued It further focuses on how strengthening accountability can a report, which stresses that the lack of adequate water and remove bottlenecks to sustainability in several LDCs. sanitation services constitute a key layer of vulnerability in addition to existing vulnerabilities, such as poverty, unem- Addressing water and sanitation issues is also part of a various ployment, a high degree of inequality and the prevalence of initiatives aiming at reinforcing collaboration and exchanges HIV/AIDS and orphaned children. The Special Rapporteur on the topic. For instance, UN-Habitat leads the Global Water on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), a programme is mandated to examine the issues of human rights to safe focused on strengthening public water utilities around the drinking water and sanitation and provide recommendations world and enhancing collaboration. The alliance includes a to governments, the UN and other stakeholders. network of partners committed to helping water operators improve their collective capacity to provide access to water and VI. Gender equality and empowerment of women sanitation services for all. As a result of GWOPA, LDCs have As mentioned earlier, according to the results of the ques- benefited from improved access to water and sanitation ser- tionnaire and the best practices received, gender equality vices through policies and strategies for efficient operations and the empowerment of women is the IPoA area that is the and maintenance of water and sanitation systems. most supported by organizations that participated to this ESCWA is collaborating with ACWUA on the Regional Initia- study. This is a positive development that is in line with the tive for Establishing a Mechanism for Improved Monitoring UN Secretary-General’s commitment to put women’s partic- and Reporting on Access to Water Supply and Sanitation Ser- ipation and leadership at the center of the UN system’s work. vices in the Arab Region (MDG+). The initiative (that includes Successful practices shared by IACG members show that Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen as LDCs), is aimed at providing several UN system entities and other related organizations reliable information on access to water services based on a integrate gender equality in their own activities through insti- set of regionally approved indicators, a harmonized method- tutional mechanisms, and policy or programmatic alignment. ology, and data collected and vetted by national monitoring For example, ITU has a dedicated Division working on gender teams. Implemented by ACWUA, following the signature of issues. The WTO notes that there are currently 126 propo- an agreement with ESCWA, the initiative also serves to mon- nents of the Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic itor water-related SDGs and targets. Empowerment, including 28 LDCs, and the Organization has In the context of sixth session of the UNCTAD Multi-year designated a Trade and Gender Focal Point for coordinating Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development in work among divisions, taking stock of what the WTO is doing, 2018, discussions covered how international trade in services and considering opportunities for further work and new ini- can have an impact on the provision of water and sanitation tiatives. OHCHR points to the various treaties and expert UN and, thereby, to the attainment of SDG 6. Policy recommen- bodies specifically dedicated to the realization of women’s dations that resulted from the meeting highlight that: trade human rights, such as the Convention on the Elimination commitments should not lead to a situation where a govern- of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), ment’s policy space to regulate the price of water services the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the and to subsidize these services is limited; commitments in Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against trade negotiations should be progressive and coherent with Women, and a Working Group on discrimination against a country’s domestic reforms; and the different angles from women and girls.

58 A computer class is conducted at the high school in Herat, Afghanistan. Photo: Graham Crouch / World Bank

Beyond UN Women’s focus on gender equality and the Various dimensions or components of gender equality and empowerment of women and on accelerating progress on the empowerment of women are highlighted in organiza- meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide, some tions’ best practices. Those include: enhancing digital and organizations integrate systematically gender into their technological skills; ending child marriage and violence to- programmatic and project-based activities, including when wards women; making gender equality central to national implemented in LDCs. For example, all CFC’s supported development planning and budgeting; supporting women projects are expected to report on how they are contributing entrepreneurship; strengthening knowledge on women’s in- to the achievement of SDG 5, including: the number of volvement in peace and security; ensuring stronger linkages smallholders women directly impacted by the project; the between women and trade, and between women and intel- number of women employed by the project (full time and lectual property; supporting gender-sensitive criminal justice temporary); wage of the women employed; and number of reform programmes; better understanding how a gender women who received training provided by the project. Also, dimension in anti-corruption programming can contribute the WIPO’s Division for LDCs integrates issues related to to the fight against corruption; and financing gender-respon- gender equality and women’s empowerment through the sive initiatives, including enterprises and infrastructure. use of the intellectual property system within all its activities Examples of successful initiatives, programmes and projects (e.g. events and meetings organized by the Division; training related to gender equality and the empowerment of women programmes; and the WIPO programme on transfer of are summarized in Boxes 26 and 27. appropriate technology).

59 Box 26. Examples of initiatives and programmes implemented by the UN system on gender equality and women’s empowerment in LDCs

EIF’s Empower Women, Power Trade initiative: The EIF’s Empower Women, Power Trade initiative exclusively targets women’s economic empowerment in the 47 LDCs. Focused on female entrepreneurs and producers, cross‑border traders and women owned MSMEs, the initiative seeks to have an impact on 50,000 women by 2022, and a financial support of US$10 million will be directed to projects submitted by country governments, with co-funding through the leveraging of existing programmes by EIF partner agencies.

ITC’s SheTrades initiative: The ITC’s SheTrades initiative aims to connect three million women entrepreneurs and women- owned businesses to international markets by 2021. Among other functions, the initiative collects gender-disaggregated data (such as non-tariff measures surveys, EU surveys, SheTrades Outlook), and works to create an enabling ecosystem for women to thrive by promoting equitable policies. Through projects and national hubs, ITC SheTrades is present in 25 countries, including Zambia, The Gambia, Bangladesh, and a number of other LDCs. In-country interventions to support women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses have a sectoral focus and incorporate a few of the seven pillars of SheTrades including skills, access to markets, and access to financial services.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment in some UNDP’s programmes and portfolios: Through the UNDP’s environment, climate and energy portfolio, 20 LDCs strengthened women’s leadership and decision-making in environmental management in 2019. For example, in Zambia, work to regenerate indigenous forests in the country’s Central Province now requires gender parity in local governance committees, including in executive positions that make decisions on selection and implementation of community-led activities for sustainable land management. Through the joint UNDP-UNEP National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP), more women from LDCs have been brought into national adaptation planning processes: in 2019, 44 women decision-makers from 37 LDCs joined regional dialogues. Also, under the UN-REDD Programme, UNDP supports the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment principles into a wide range of REDD+ efforts at global, national and sub-national levels. For example, in Myanmar, women’s participation in consultations on the REDD+ National Strategy increased from 21% in 2017 to 42% in 2019.

UNODC Global Programme on Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses to Violence against Women: UNODC supports gender-sensitive criminal justice reform programmes in LDCs, with a focus on eliminating gender- based violence and promoting equal access to legal aid. Under its Global Programme on Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses to Violence against Women, UNODC is assisting Nepal with a study on the situation of women in the criminal justice system and on criminal justice responses to rape and sexual violence. The Organization also contributed to the Nepali version of the UN Essential Services Package for women and girls subject to violence.

UNCDF’s programmes in support of women in LDCs: In West Africa, UNCDF worked with fintech and mobile network operators in five countries to apply a human-centred design and other innovations such as behavioral insights to better tailor digital and financial services to meet the needs of women and youth. The programme will support over 30,000 young women and men in their school-to-work transition by providing skills training, decent work opportunities and financial services by 2024. Furthermore, UNCDF, in partnership with UNDP and UN Women, supports the development and financing of gender- responsive SMEs and infrastructure, using a variety of investment forms where women are most likely to be positively impacted, such as agri-processing, garment and handicraft production and the care economy. Since 2018, this initiative has financed a total of 22 investment projects in Bangladesh, the United Republic of Tanzania, Mali and Senegal, which has resulted in additional financing being unlocked from local partners, including governments, private companies, banks and communities, to a ratio of 1:2 from the programme’s initial investment. More than 32,000 women are expected to directly benefit from these investments, as workers, business owners, farmers and as part of the value chain.

60 ILO’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED): ILO provides support to women empowerment, and women’s entrepreneurship development through various programmes, including the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED) programme that seeks to increase economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and to increase knowledge about women’s entrepreneurship. WED has been implemented in over 25 countries, covering Africa, the Arab states, Asia and the Pacific, Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Latin America. Here are some of its achievements: in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, an assessment found that, after support from the programme, monthly profits by women-led businesses increased by 50% (from USD 180 to USD 270) and their sales quadrupled (from USD 490 to USD 2150); gender, disability and HIV/ AIDS were mainstreamed into Lesotho’s MSME policy to make it more inclusive; and in the United Republic of Tanzania, membership of women entrepreneurs’ associations increased by 60% after participation in the ILO’s programme.

Box 27. Examples of projects implemented by the UN system on gender equality and women’s empowerment in LDCs

Enhancing the digital ecosystem and digital skills for the economic empowerment of women in LDCs–ITU: In ITU, a number of activities were launched under the banner EQUALS, focusing primarily on LDCs, such as a joint project on enhancing the digital ecosystem and digital skills for the economic empowerment of women. Phase one of the project is to benefit four LDCs in two regions and to replicate the project in other LDCs afterward. In each selected country, EQUALS in Tech will enable local women to benefit from the digital avenues for development. This include linking working-age women with employment opportunities and other income generation opportunities where digital skills are required; and promoting the inclusion of on-the-job training and leveraging opportunities from EQUALS partners to access microfinance for development using ICTs. More information on the EQUALS partnership is available here.

UNFPA’s assistance in the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage: UNFPA supported the development of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Model Law on Child Marriage in collaboration with the SADC Parliamentary Forum. The law serves as a monitoring and an advocacy tool for legislators in the region to end child marriage, and was adopted by the Parliamentary Forum General Assembly in Swaziland in June 2016.

Eliminating child marriages in Malawi and Zambia–UNOSSC in partnership with several organizations at the country level: Under the India, Brazil and South Africa Fund (IBSA), managed by UNOSSC, a project on ‘Eliminating child marriages in Malawi and Zambia and offering scholarships to child marriage survivors’ seeks to accelerate implementation of the Africa and global commitments to ending child marriage. Initiated in 2018 to promote national legislation and empower communities in the two East African countries to end child marriages, the project seeks to help girls and young women who have had child marriages reintegrate into society and the educational system. It aims at providing scholarship and support to more than 1,400 young women and girls to go back to school. The project is carried out in partnership with several governmental and non governmental organizations.

Catalyzing women entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific–ESCAP: ESCAP is implementing a five-year project (2018-2023) to catalyze women entrepreneurship in six countries of Asia-Pacific, of which three are LDCs (Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal). The project takes a facilitative approach to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, by: enhancing women entrepreneurs’ access to finance; strengthening the use of ICT and digital solutions to support women’s business; and using policy and advocacy related initiatives. The project will support a range of innovative digital and financial mechanisms (including a women’s bond, impact investment, and fintech solutions) to help women entrepreneurs access finance and expand their business. By 2023, the project aims to impact 20,000 women entrepreneurs.

61 Women in construction in The Gambia–UNOPS and partners: Among other projects, UNOPS, in partnership with the European Union, recruited 200 women as part of a construction team (60% of the overall team) to build feeder roads in The Gambia. More information on this experience is available here.

UNFPA Senegal implemented since 2019 a ‘’new deal‘’ innovative approach. The concept of the “New Deal” or “Community Pact” is based on a pact signed between girls ‘clubs, parents and godmothers (bajenu gox) for a “zero pregnancy” objective within “girls’ clubs” in the medical regions of Kolda and Tambacunda in southern Senegal. This pact is based more specifically on three essential pillars: i) the parents’ commitment not to marry their daughters before the age of 18; ii) girls’ commitment not to get pregnant before marriage; iii) girls’ leadership strengthened in prevention and care for the needs of adolescents and young people. Until the end of 2019, 8,125 young girls signed the New Deal pact, which made it possible to achieve “zero pregnancy” and “zero early marriage” in this group, all of whom were educated by their parents. approach will be gradually generalized in other regions.

Promoting legal aid for women in LDCs–UNODC, UN Women: In partnership with UN Women, and funded by the UN Development Account, UNODC is implementing a project to promote legal aid for women in Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone, which includes components on legal and policy reform, capacity development, and legal empowerment through support to women’s organizations.

IMF technical assistance on integrating gender budgeting: The IMF has provided technical assistance to countries on integrating gender budgeting into public financial management institutions, and on implementing gender budgeting (for example, in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Niger). The IMF works on gender budgeting issues as part of a broader effort to promote gender equality and inclusive growth. This paper on women in the labor force provides more information on some of IMF’s gender analyses.

UNIDO’s support to women in Djibouti and Sudan: During 2015–2016, UNIDO implemented a project in Djibouti to empower the poor and women in flood-prone communities to build resilience to disasters through diversified livelihoods (such as fishery skills). UNIDO also provides technical assistance to foster inclusive economic growth in Kassala State (Sudan) through agro- value chains development and access to financial services. To date, the latter project has supported 674 smallholder farmers with financing from a microfinance Institution for the purchase of agricultural technical packages. Of these, 42% are women and 40% had never accessed a financial institution before.

UNCTAD’s project on assisting women cross-border traders in Eastern and Southern Africa: UNCTAD implemented a project to assist women cross-border traders in Eastern and Southern Africa. The project sought to respond to the multiple challenges identified in field research, including: complex, lengthy and costly border procedures; limited knowledge about customs rules and processes; language barriers; corruption, insecurity and harassment at the border; limited capital; and inadequate knowledge about entrepreneurship.

ESCWA’s support to Yemen on women, peace and security: ESCWA provided technical support to Yemen to develop its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2019), and supported national consultations for drafting a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security in Sudan.

62 Members of the UN system also issued guides, tools and Over 90% of respondents identified the need for trade-relat- reports that could be useful for LDCs. For instance, in 2018, ed training. Using the data from these surveys, the WTO is UNFPA issued a guide on using the SADC Model Law on currently developing a training module for women-entrepre- Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already neurs in those regions, with a specific focus on women en- in Marriage, addressed to parliamentarians, civil society or- trepreneurs from LDCs. ganizations and youth advocates. UNOPS works with UN The following examples give an illustration of additional Women on Gender sensitivity in infrastructure, and pro- capacity building initiatives: duces joint guidelines, in collaboration with partners, on integrating gender in sectors such as transport and roads, • In Nepal, Bangladesh, The Gambia, Zambia and West economic and retail infrastructure, and vertical structures. Africa, UNCDF supports Central Banks to develop reg- These guidelines include information and examples from ulatory technology (REGTECH) capacities to enable au- Asia-Pacific LDCs. UNOPS also released a report on infra- tomated data collection and strengthen analytical tools structure for gender equality and the empowerment of wom- for sex-disaggregated data. en, which was endorsed by UN Women, and includes data • From 2014 to 2019, UNIDO provided skills trainings and examples from several LDCs (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, on technological advancement for women in LDCs. In Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Somalia and Yemen). Ethiopia, the Organization also implemented a project on UNCTAD developed a trade and gender toolbox, which aims productive work for youth and women through MSMEs at providing a systematic framework to evaluate the impact promotion, that comprised developing tailored-made of trade reforms on women and gender inequalities prior their trainings for women-led enterprises, and coaching them implementation. In partnership with Trademark East Africa, to identify and approach potential investors and partners UNCTAD also finalized a report on ‘East African Community for their business projects. Regional Integration: Trade and Gender Implications,’ which • WIPO’s training programmes conducted by the Division presents the economic, trade and gender profiles of partner for LDCs, in cooperation with other development part- States of the East African Community, and analyzes the im- ners, include substantive sessions on the interlinkag- pact of its regional integration on women’s well-being with a es between intellectual property and gender equality. focus on women empowerment. These programmes advance the notion that the intellec-

Furthermore, UN system entities and other related organi- tual property should be utilized as a tool to encourage women’s participation in innovation and thereby reduce zations provided trainings, online courses, workshops, and the current economic gender gap. A key implementation meetings. As such, UNOPS, in collaboration with UN Women modality is the formulation and implementation of na- developed an online training for gender mainstreaming in tional projects by senior officials from LDCs attending infrastructure and procurement to help governments, in- the programme (all the senior officials are encouraged cluding those of LDCs, to consider the benefits of diverse, to incorporate gender considerations as part of their na- women-inclusive national supplier bases and procurement tional projects). teams. As part of its online courses on trade and gender, UNCTAD developed its first targeted regional online course • UNODC organized an expert group meeting (EGM) in on the relationship between trade and gender in the Common Bangkok in September 2018 on ‘Gender and Corruption’ Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the East African which explored ways to promote the role of women as Community. The courses aim to equip participants with the anti-corruption champions. The workshop showed how skills needed to interpret data on women’s participation and including a gender dimension in anti-corruption pro- gender inequalities in various economic sectors, and to for- gramming can contribute to the fight against corruption mulate policies and practices to advance the status of wom- and the empowerment of women across four thematic en in the region with regard to trade integration. In 2019, the areas: criminal justice, private sector, civil society and WTO launched its first Trade and Gender Training for gov- public services. The EGM, that included the attendance ernmental officials. The training explores the nexus between of Kiribati, also resulted in the development of a set of concrete recommendations for action. trade and women’s economic empowerment. In addition, the WTO completed two regional surveys in South Asia and East • ESCWA carried out a workshop on integrating the SDGs Africa with the participation of 200 women entrepreneurs. in the national strategies of Mauritania, with an overview

63 on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and UN assistance programmes. This evidence has been pivotal Security Council resolution 1325 on women and peace in addressing key policy concerns regarding dependency, and security. The workshop enhanced and strengthened labor disincentives, and supporting the effective scale-up of capacities to mainstream gender in the SDGs, especially social protection programmes, particularly in sub-Saharan SDG 5, at the national level. Africa (such as Zambia, Lesotho, and Malawi). In Malawi, Ethiopia and Somalia, among others, FAO also supports VII. Social protection the design and implementation of risk-informed and shock- Among other best practices from the UN system in the area responsive social protection and nascent systems, which of social protection, the ILO launched the ‘Building Social enhances crisis-response capacity and helps to bridge the Protection Floors for All’ programme to change 130 million humanitarian-development-peace divide. lives by 2020 through establishing comprehensive social protection systems in 21 countries and conducting a glob- There are also successful projects put in place by UN sys- al knowledge development and education campaign. The tem entities and other related organizations to support the 21 countries include: Malawi; Mozambique; Niger; Senegal; LDCs on social protection. As such, the Malawian Ministry Togo; Zambia; Cambodia; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; of Labor, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, with Myanmar; and Timor-Leste. The Organization’s 2018 annual support from the ILO, established a more efficient and effec- report that presents results of the programme notes that in tive employment injury mechanism to expand social security Malawi, the ILO and other UN agencies have provided support to Malawian workers and to overcome the numerous challeng- to the Government to review and renew the Malawi National es of the country’s workers compensation system. UNDP ini- Social Support Programme (MNSSP I). The new MNSSP tiated, in 2020, a regional initiative to strengthen the ability II was formally adopted and launched during the Malawi of community-based social protection mechanisms to deal Social Protection Week in July 2018, and runs from 2018 to with shocks and vulnerabilities at the household and com- 2023. According to the annual report, the revised programme munity levels. The project will cover several LDCs in Africa. provides a programming framework for the country’s social On other initiatives of support, the ESCAP secretariat es- protections system with a focus on four cross-cutting areas: tablished the Group of Experts for Strengthening Regional consumption support; productive livelihoods; support; and Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific in shock responsive social protection and systems strengthen- early 2019. The Group of Experts consists of official repre- ing. More information on the programme is available here. sentatives of ESCAP members and associate members, in- Moreover, the ILO’s Global Programme on Employment Injury cluding from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Nepal, Insurance and Protection (GEIP) provides policy advisory committed to advancing knowledge exchange on social pro- services to enterprises and social security schemes to assess tection in the region, during the SDG Decade of Action. The employment injury insurance systems. The programme, Group had its first meeting in June 2019. ESCWA convenes implemented in LDCs such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guinea, inter-governmental working groups on disability policy, and Liberia, Malawi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, social protection reform. The groups meet twice a year in or- comprises technical assistance and adapts to the needs of der to exchange experiences, cooperate across Arab mem- each country, bearing in mind the national affordability and ber countries and advance in joint learning, including through capacity to cover workers and comply with social security. technical assistance provided by the Commission. Maurita- nia and Yemen are part of these working groups. In addition, the FAO works with 42 governments in LDC countries to advance the social protection agenda. In Finally, tools and reports aimed at supporting the LDCs close partnership with UNICEF, IFAD, national governments, on enhancing their social protection systems have been and other organizations, the FAO gathered evidence on developed by the UN system, for all LDC regions. A selection the economic and productive impacts of national social is briefly presented in Box 28.

64 Box 28. Examples of tools and reports on social assistance/protection

ESCAP Social Protection Toolbox: ESCAP hosts the Social Protection Toolbox, an online platform that includes interactive, tailor-made best practices on social protection from across the Asia-Pacific region, including most LDCs. The Toolbox also comprises a series of capacity building materials for policymakers, including videos, infographics and policy guides.

UNDP’s Social Assistance in Africa Data Platform, and Report: The UNDP Social Assistance in Africa Data Platform aims at increasing the understanding of state-provisioned social assistance to: inform policy and practice, as well as research and advocacy; and engage in South-South collaboration. The platform comprises data, country profiles, and resources, among other components. Moreover, the UNDP ‘State of Social Assistance in Africa’ report examines processes and trends in social assistance, namely: the origins and evolution of social assistance over time; the introduction of social protection policies and development of enabling institutions; trends in financing; and progress towards establishing social assistance as a right in Africa. The publication compellingly argues for strengthening the national architecture for social assistance in Africa as a pathway to eradicating poverty, reducing vulnerability and realizing the commitment of Leaving No One Behind. It contains a country profiles section with key information and data on contemporary social assistance in all African countries.

ESCWA’s report on Social Protection Reform in Arab Countries: ESCWA issued the ‘Social Protection Reform in Arab Countries’ report (2019) that discusses recent and ongoing social protection reforms in countries of the region, and implications of policy options applied by these countries. The report, that comprises examples from Mauritania and Sudan, also discusses choices, trade-offs and challenges Arab countries are facing while carrying out the reforms. Furthermore, the Commission released the report ‘Strengthening Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities in Arab countries,’ to provide an overview of the situation and needs of persons with disabilities, and of social protection systems adopted by Arab countries, including Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen.

ECLAC-UNICEF report on the promotion and social protection of childhood and adolescence in Haiti: The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in collaboration with UNICEF, published a report on social protection of childhood and adolescence in Haiti. The report recognizes the efforts made to coordinate social protection and acknowledges some progress in children and adolescents’ well-being over the last 20 years, but warns that there are still very few opportunities for social promotion, especially in rural areas. The study recommends, among other strategies, to optimize financial investment in the education sector to improve coverage and quality, and to address the problem of child labor, both in terms of domestic tasks and economic market activity.

5.3.6 Multiple crises and other emerging several challenges to sustainable development across LDCs, challenges while global responses have not matched the magnitude of the challenges they create. LDCs continue to be vulnerable to a variety of shocks, including food, fuel, financial and economic crises, and natural LDCs in a situation of conflict or humanitarian crisis, pose disasters, and have to confront challenges posed by climate additional challenges for implementing coordinated action change and some by conflicts that have eroded some of the towards achieving the LDCs. Conflict can undermine, or in development gains they made in the past. Securing equita- some case substantially damage, local institutions and ble, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and develop- governmental structures, making it difficult to identify entry ment in LDCs requires building their resilience to withstand points to advance the SDGs. Internal or international dis- crises and emerging challenges and the impact of climate placements, including of refugees, and porous borders may change. (IPoA, paragraph 94). also exacerbate illegal trafficking of persons and goods.

Almost 10 years after the adoption of the IPoA, those issues Over the last few years, the UN system has put in place support are still a reality. As noted in the 2018 edition of the ‘State measures to help LDCs build resilience, mitigate impacts, and of the Least Developed Countries’ report, emerging shocks, enhance sustainable growth. Examples of these efforts are such as climate change, add to existing shocks, and pose outlined here:

65 Communities in São Tomé and Príncipe work together to improve the management of the Provaz River catchment and to secure the water supply in the future. Photo: IWRM AIO SIDS

Building resilience related to economic shocks, climate For instance, UNCDF has established the Local Climate change and other natural hazards, and mitigating impacts Adaptive Living Facility (loCAL), a mechanism that seeks to: At the UN system level, the UNFCCC has a key role to play integrate climate change adaptation into local governments’ in supporting countries on climate change mitigation and planning and budgeting systems; increase awareness of, and adaptation (as outlined earlier in Box 2). In addition, UNDRR response to, climate change at the local level; and increase supports LDCs to conduct multi-hazard disaster risk assess- the amount of finance available to local governments for cli- ments, to develop inclusive multi-hazard national and local mate change adaptation. To date the LoCAL programme has DRR strategies, and to monitor progress towards the seven supported 284 local governments in 14 LDCs for the system- global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk ic localization of the Paris Agreement, mobilizing USD 80 mil- Reduction 2015–2030, using the Sendai Framework Monitor. lion in grants and technical assistance, resulting in 600 local adaptation projects. LoCAL guidelines for local climate ad- To support LDCs to translate global policy coherence into aptation finance have been adopted by the UNFCCC, and the national policies and strategies, UNDRR in partnership with programme has supported Cambodia to become the first 15 UN entities and other partners, initiated the ‘Target E country to achieve accreditation to the Green Climate Fund Coherent Approach’ in 2019. Through the development of at the local government level (through the central ministry technical guidance and the design and implementation of of local governments). In Benin, the National Fund for Envi- inter-institutional national action plans, the approach will ronment and Climate also achieved GCF accreditation with support national capacity to develop mutually reinforcing UNCDF support in 2019, and other LoCAL countries are sim- legislation, policies and programmes for DRR and climate ilarly seeking accreditation pathways at the local level. This change adaption across sectors and levels of government. will enable GCF to channel climate adaptation finance directly to local governments, with the technical backstopping Other members of the UN system are also investing efforts of UNCDF as needed. UNEP also works towards enhancing on strengthening resilience related to economic shocks, human resilience to climate change, and has a dedicated climate change and other natural hazards. Efforts focus on sub-programme on resilience to disaster and conflicts. topics such as: disaster risk assessment and management; economic recovery and reconstruction following a disaster; Complementarily to these initiatives, many projects have resilience building; and climate change adaptation. been or are being implemented in LDCs, as outlined in Box 29.

66 Box 29. Examples of UN system projects in LDCs to build resilience, and mitigate impacts of economic shocks, climate change and other natural hazards

Helping LDCs on disaster risk assessments related to climate–UNDRR: UNDRR supported 16 African countries, including Angola, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia (LDCs) in developing national risk profiles which assessed disaster risk for present climate and for future climate scenarios. This initiative allowed disaster risk management practitioners in national institutions to consider the need for forward-looking cross-sectoral collaboration and interventions. Such risk profiles are key to develop national DRR financing strategies, as part of integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs–more detailed later in this report).

Helping The Gambia on early warning systems for pre- and post-flood disaster management–UNOSSC: In collaboration with UNESCO and the National Disaster Risk Management Agency of The Gambia, UNOSSC supported a project on the use of drones and early warning systems for pre- and post-disaster assessments in The Gambia. The project (briefly describedhere ) seeks to: strengthen the early warning systems in the Lower River and Upper River regions and the coastal areas of the Banjul region, including procurement and installation; and provide technical training of the personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drones and ancillary technologies in The Gambia.

Environmental support for UN partners and Member States in Conflict and Disaster-affected Countries and regions’–UNEP: The UNEP project on ‘Environmental support for UN partners and Member States in Conflict and Disaster-affected Countries and regions’ seeks to help identify early environmental risks to ensure that countries such as Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen increasingly prevent and reduce the environmental impacts of disasters and conflicts, while building resilience to future crises. Currently in its development phase, the project offers capabilities and services that, if deployed promptly, can help countries and regions to adjust to the strains imposed by climate change and natural resources’ use.

Supporting Sudan, Malawi, Solomon Islands, Mali, The Gambia and Bhutan on climate adaptation–UNDP: UNDP has been working on many climate change adaptation projects in the LDCs, which have interlinkages with other sectoral areas. Supported by the LDCF, UNDP implemented a project on climate risk finance for sustainable and climate resilient rain-fed farming and pastoral systems in Sudan. Among other achievements, the project provided weather index insurance services for 1000 farmers in four targeted states and to 120 Pastoralists in two targeted state. It also involved various capacity building programme for the micro-finance institutions, and the development of financial and insurance packages for farmers and pastoralists, enabled by a national micro-finance policy.

In Malawi, UNDP, with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund, assisted the Government of Malawi in taking steps to save lives and enhance livelihoods at risk from climate-related disasters. The project on ‘Saving Lives and Protecting Agriculture Based Livelihoods in Malawi: Scaling Up the Use of Modernized Climate Information and Early Warning Systems’ (M-Climes) is expected to benefit 1.4 million people directly, enhance coverage of meteorological observation network and improve the frequency and timeliness of flood warning to six hours or less. Per UNDP, the project could potentially save 16 lives a year through improved weather and climate forecasting, and could result in an annual benefit of USD 3.8 million to the agricultural sector.

In Solomon Islands, UNDP helped improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts of climate change, to improve health, sanitation and quality of life, and sustain livelihoods in vulnerable target areas. The Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP), supported by the LDCF, was extremely effective at improving water security and resilience to climate change at both the six pilot sites and the six replica sites, through diversified water supply options (e.g. rainwater tanks, improved groundwater supply and new and rehabilitated wells), and early warning systems. At the community level, women and girls benefited significantly by having secure water sources immediately adjacent to, or much closer to their residences, reducing time and workload fetching water and also improving security.

In Mali, UNDP is implementing a project on strengthening the resilience of women producer groups and vulnerable communities to integrate climate variability into development strategies. Among other achievements, the stocking of three

67 ponds enabled the organization of collective fishing in the Sikasso and Kayes regions. The use of micro-dams in the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro and Sikasso also made possible to improve the practice of sustainable farming of flood recession crops. The development of market gardening plots as income-generating activities for the exclusive benefit of more than 4,000 women in the Kayes, Koulikoro and Sikasso regions. In addition, local strategic reserves in the form of cereal banks are exclusively managed by women who sell food stocks in order to replenish the funds of the women’s groups in the communes of Sero Diamanou, Bema and Yerere in Kayes region.

In The Gambia, UNDP undertook a project to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal areas and communities. Supported by the LDCF, the initative helped enhance and protect rural livelihoods from the impacts of climate change through the demonstration and transfer of successful coastal adaptation technologies and the introduction of economic diversification. The initative restored salt intruded rice paddies, introduced halophytic rice techniques, and identified key lessons with wide applicability to fringing rice growing communities. The initative also provided basic skills on facility management, agro- forestry and financial records keeping.

Finally, UNDP supported Bhutan on increasing national, local and community capacity to respond to climate-induced multi- hazards. Funded by the GEF (through the LDCF), and coordinated by the National Environment Commission Secretariat in partnership with UNDP Bhutan, the project involved: protecting areas prone to landslides along Reldri School in Phuntsholing and Barsa Watershed at Pasakha using Geotech methodologies and bioengineering measures; monitoring landslide in six sites along southern regions; and implementing activities related to climate resilient water harvesting such as the construction of three water reservoirs with pipelines to reachable households, the installation of rain water systems, and tree plantation around water sources. Among other positive results, the project led to clean water sources; a decrease in communicable diseases; improvement in regular hygiene; an increase of student attendance in the schools, due to the fact that they no longer have to travel long distances to fetch water; an increase in income of villagers due to availability of water for economic activities; improved access to markets including microfinance; and women’s involvement in decision making, as most of the water user groups are led by women; and slope stabilization through plantation.

Helping Vanuatu to recover from Tropical Cyclone Pam–EIF: In 2015, Tropical Cyclone Pam caused such devastation in the Pacific that Vanuatu’s graduation from LDC status was delayed to December 2020. EIF, with the support of the Government of New Zealand, helped Vanuatu to rebuild its vital tourism infrastructure and to regenerate the seafront precincts in Port Vila. A handicrafts market was also rebuilt with added electricity and Internet access enabling women artisans to return to the town centers to sell creative artisanal work. This led to stronger linkages between tourists and Vanuatu-made products and services, and to the creation of jobs for the local craftspeople.

Other examples of projects include: • WHO’s assistance to respond to the cholera outbreak in Burundi, following El Niño’s related factors and civil • ILO’s support to post-disaster needs assessments, unrest that resulted in a humanitarian crisis. and to the design and implementation of recovery programmes in Haiti (following the earthquake of 2010 According to the best practices received, tools such as online and Hurricane Matthew in 2016), Nepal (following the platforms, guidance, frameworks and assessments, have 2015 earthquake) and Mozambique (following the 2019 been made available to countries, including LDCs, to better Cyclone Idai). plan and cope with economic shocks and with the impacts • assistance from the IAEA to provide non-destructive of climate change and other natural hazards. Selected ex- testing equipment and expertise to ensure the integrity amples are briefly presented in Box 30. of civil infrastructures in post-earthquake disaster in developing countries, such as Nepal.

• the implementation of projects by UNIDO in Djibouti and Eritrea to assist the rural communities to enhance their coping mechanisms on natural disasters.

68 Box 30. Selected tools related to disaster risk reduction and management, and to strengthening resilience

Sendai Framework Monitor and DRR4NAPS: The UNDRR online Sendai Framework Monitor helps measure implementation of the Sendai Framework, and according to the organization, as of 2019, 43% of LDCs had reported that they had national DRR strategies in place. UNDRR also developed a guidance on ways to incorporate disaster risk reduction into National Adaptation Plans (DRR4NAPS).

CityRap: UN-Habitat released the City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) tool to strengthen the capacity of city managers and technicians in the developing world to plan and undertake practical actions to enhance urban resilience and effectively reduce urban risks. CityRAP was tested from 2015 to 2017, in Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Ethiopia, Comoros, and Burkina Faso, and has been implemented in 30 locations across 11 countries in Africa.

VISUS: UNESCO supported Mozambique, Haiti and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the use of the multi-hazard school safety assessment methodology ‘VISUS’ (Visual Inspection for defining Safety Upgrading Strategies). For example, in Mozambique, the VISUS methodology was conducted for 100 schools, and resulted in a comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessment for the education sector, and an analysis of various retrofit and reconstruction options.

UN-SPIDER: UNOOSA established UN-SPIDER, a space-based information portal for disaster management and emergency response that seeks to ensure that all countries, especially developing countries, have access to, and develop the capacity to, use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle. The platform includes a knowledge portal with information on many LDCs.

SCDIs: The IMF provides advice and support on State-Contingent Debt Instruments (SCDIs), which have the potential to better manage public debt in a world of uncertainty, and link debt service payments to real world variables or events. For example, instruments can be linked to a country’s GDP, to commodity prices, or to disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Malawi benefited from this type of instrument, and advice and support on SCDIs is available to low-income developing countries (that include most LDCs), upon request.

Among additional resources, the UNFPA Humanitarian ‘riskscape’ and estimates the amounts that countries Action Thematic Fund (HTF) was established in 2018 to would need to invest to outpace the growth of disaster provide flexible, multi-year funding for the increasing number risk. It provides guidance on how countries can maximize of humanitarian crises. The Fund is financed by governmen- the impacts of their investments by implementing a tal and private donations, and pools donor contributions to comprehensive portfolio of sectoral investments and reduce transaction costs. It covers all aspects of UNFPA’s policies that jointly address poverty, inequality and disaster humanitarian response appeals, without geographical, the- risk, and showcases examples from the region of innovative matic, or time earmarks, and allows UNFPA to act more pro‑poor disaster risk reduction measures and risk-informed quickly and more efficiently, wherever disaster strikes. Per social policies. Furthermore, it explores how emerging this report, in 2019 (its first year of operations), the HTF dis- technologies such as big data and digital identities can be bursed more than USD 2.5 million to provide immediate and used to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable groups are long-term assistance to Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and other included in these policy interventions. non-LDC countries (Colombia, the Philippines, the Republic Finally, on capacity building initiatives: of the Congo, Turkey, and Venezuela). • UNDRR launched a ‘Strategic Approach to Capacity The UNCTAD Least Developed Countries Reports, and the Development for Implementation of the Sendai ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Reports (ADPRs) also provide Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Vision of useful information for LDCs. For example, the APDR 2019 Risk-Informed Sustainable Development by 2030.’ assesses the scale of economic losses across the disaster The approach is designed to inform actions of capacity

69 development partners at all levels, and to encourage social protection systems. The project, which started stakeholders understand DRR capacity development in August 2017, included an ASEAN study of existing needs that exist within countries and communities. It social protection systems and policy options, an in- was developed in response to calls from Member States, depth country analysis in some LDCs (Cambodia and particularly, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, for continued Myanmar), and country-level roadmaps in selected AMS support for the Sendai Framework implementation and to strengthen early warning systems. A second phase of for capacity development at the national and local levels. the project aims at strengthening country-level trigger systems for scaling up social protection programmes in • ESCAP has been convening a Regional Learning Plat- the face of disasters. form (RLP) series on policy coherence for disaster risk reduction and resilience annually since 2016 to support Enhancing sustainable growth and protecting biodiversity capacity building of participants from LDCs through innovative and evidence-based approaches. The platform In addition to building LDCs’ resilience to withstand economic shares good practices, and presents innovative tools, shocks and natural hazards, and to overcome the adverse such as ex-ante multi-sector risk assessment, and mea- effects of climate change, the IPoA also includes the goal of suring risk and resilience for planning and investments enhancing sustainable growth and protect biodiversity. to support risk-informed development planning in LDCs. As part of the best practices shared by UN system entities • The FAO, together with ILO, UNICEF, WFP and UNDRR, and other related organizations, some are directly related to and in partnership with the Association of Southeast this goal, as they include measures to stimulate investment Asian Nations (ASEAN), implemented a joint project for in biological resources, expand protected areas, support strengthening the capacity of ASEAN Member States green jobs, and address wildlife crime and corruption. (AMS) to develop risk-informed and shock responsive

70 Haitian student breathes new life into depleted pine forest. Photo: UN Photo / Logan Abassi Box 31. Programmes and projects seeking to enhance sustainable growth and protect biodiversity

ITC Trade and Environment programme: ITC has a Trade and Environment programme to strengthen the capacity of SMEs in developing countries to compete in environmental markets and to overcome barriers that might result from environment- related standards. The programme also addresses challenges related to climate resilience and biodiversity loss, and includes assistance on: capacity building for companies and trade support institutions on meeting market requirements; strengthening market linkages through trade fair preparation and participation; and publishing market studies and guides on sustainability related markets. Publications and newsletters under this programme include information on several LDCs. ITC further promotes the use of voluntary standards by LDCs to produce environmentally friendly products.

UNCTAD’s BioTrade Initiative: The UNCTAD’s BioTrade Initiative aims to stimulate trade and investment in biological resources to support sustainable development in line with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity on conservation of biological resources; sustainable use of its components; and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. The Union for Ethical BioTrade in Burkina Faso (an UNCTAD BioTrade partner), is working with the SME Agrifaso to develop the supply chains of shea butter and hibiscus under BioTrade principles and criteria, directly benefitting 4,000 women from 21 villages. Also, BioTrade practitioner, Kalahari Natural Oils in Zambia, is developing and trading value-added products such as oils derived from Mongongo and Ximenia, which has benefited over 200 suppliers grouped into seven associations. Finally, Dakdae Social Enterprise, a women-led BioTrade initiative in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, supports young entrepreneurs to add value to natural ingredients such as Indian Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum rhetsa). The company trades its essential oil for the European fragrance industry, a new market that will allow its sourcing communities in remote villages of Huaphan province to increase their income from sustainably sourcing a native species.

Expanding the protected area system to incorporate important aquatic ecosystems in Bangladesh–UNDP: Sundarbans in the delta formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal, is the world’s largest mangrove forest, and the only place where the Ganges river dolphins and Irrawaddy dolphins are found together. The Government of Bangladesh in 2012, has declared Dhangmari, Chandpai and Dudhmukhi areas of eastern Sundarbans, as dolphin sanctuaries, covering 32 linear kilometres. However, dolphins are still in danger due to both natural and human-made causes, including fishing practices, sea-level rise, salinity due to climate change, oil and coal spills, and pollution from rivers that flow into the delta.

To have a better management plan to protect dolphins in the Sundarbans’ rivers, UNDP, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Forest Department, and with the financial support from the GEF, initiated a project on ‘expanding the protected area system to incorporate important aquatic ecosystems’. The project, initiated in 2017, aims to build capacity to manage the existing protected areas for dolphin conservation and to expand the conservation area while ensuring the local communities’ livelihood that depends on the ecosystem services from the protected areas.

As part of the project’s achievements:

• The Government developed a Dolphin Atlas, a Dolphin Conservation Action Plan and conducted a dolphin population survey in the Sundarbans including Halda river, that comprised the identification of major threats in the river. Additional dolphin hotspot areas were identified by a field study. • Illegal fishing in the dolphin sanctuaries has decreased due to smart patrolling. • Project activities have identified additional dolphin habitats in and around Sundarbans with an area of about 334.5 square km, out of which the government is planning to declare over 182 square km as a dolphin sanctuary and 12.27 square km (previously 10.7 square km) as a buffer zone for dolphins in and around Sundarbans. • Alternative income generation activities were introduced for families that depend on fishing for their livelihood. • Almost 700 (90% women) beneficiaries have started businesses not involving harvesting fish from dolphin sanctuaries.

71 Tools, publications and guides have also been shared by Sustainable Development Reports analyzes various aspects organizations as part of their best practices, with the aim to of financing, including domestic public resources, domestic enhance sustainable growth and protect biodiversity in LDCs. and international private business and finance, international development cooperation, international trade as an engine As such, the ILO established a Green Jobs Portal, and for development, debt and debt sustainability, addressing launched the Green Initiative to advance research and under- systemic issues, STI and capacity-building, and data, mon- standing of the challenges and opportunities for the world of itoring and follow-up. work arising from a green transition, and ensure decent work and social justice for all. In this context, it has released a policy The UN system has also come together to support countries brief on greening the economies of LDCs, that discusses the to develop integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs) role of skills development for greener economies to achieve as called for in the Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Financing sustainable development and poverty eradication. the 2030 Agenda. Per the Financing for Sustainable Develop- ment Report (FSDR) 2019, INFFs are country-owned financ- Furthermore, considering that illegality, crime and corruption ing frameworks that bring together financing and related are driving deforestation and the loss of multiple species, policies most relevant to addressing a country’s financing UNODC is working with LDCs to strengthen their legislation challenges. INFF looks at the full range of financing sources to address these threats. Among other functions, the Orga- and non-financial means of implementation that are available nization develops tools to prevent and mitigate corruption to countries, and lay out a financing strategy to raise resourc- (notably of the fisheries and forest value chains). It also sup- es, manage risks, and achieve sustainable development prior- ports financial investigations to freeze, seize or recover as- ities. Among the “pioneer countries” that have started design- sets linked to wildlife crime. For example, UNODC published ing INFFs six countries are LDCs: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, the ‘Rotten Fish: A guide on addressing corruption in the Rwanda, Senegal, Timor-Leste and Uganda. fisheries sector’ that has been rolled out in Senegal, with plans for rollout in Myanmar, and Sao Tome and Principe. The reinvigorated UN Resident Coordinator system includes This guide helps identify corruption risks and proposes risk one economist and one partnership and development finance mitigation strategies to address them. specialist in every Resident Coordinator office, including in all LDCs. Resident coordinator offices have also been 5.3.7 Mobilizing financial resources for strengthened with greater capacities for planning, policy development and capacity-building support, scaled-up partnerships efforts and better results, monitoring and evaluation. The lack of financial resources is one of the biggest constraints facing LDCs to achieving sustained, inclusive and The UN Joint SDG Fund (presented earlier in Box 5) also plays equitable growth and sustainable development and progress an important role in supporting countries to reinforce the SDG towards graduation. The low levels of per capita income, do- financing architecture and to catalyze strategic investments mestic savings and investment and a small tax base limit that leverage public and private financing in order to advance domestic resources. There is therefore a high reliance on the SDGs. The Fund places the focus on integrated policy, external financial resources, including official development strategic investments and financing, and robust partnerships assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment, concessional to accelerate SDG implementation. It works across all 17 lending and private flows such as remittances. (IPoA, para- the SDGs to transform current development practices, and graph 109). draws from existing expertise across the UN Development System and broad network of partners. Its first call on SDG Making progress on the IPoA and realizing the SDGs require Financing was launched in December 2019. The Joint SDG concerted efforts across public and private actors to mobilize Fund approved 23 Joint Programmes to be implemented resources at scale. As outlined below, efforts have been in LDCs under the Call on SDG Financing (Component 1) made in this regard by the UN system to support the LDCs. in June 2020 (this is more detailed in Box 5). The objective Since 2016, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for De- of the programmes is to support INFFs building blocks or velopment has provided an analysis of sustainable develop- similarly framed SDG financing strategies. The UN Joint SDG ment financing in LDCs, and other countries. Its Financing for Fund also approved allocations of up to 200,000 to eight

72 Welders in rural Bangladesh. Photo: Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh / ILO

LDCs as preparatory funding under the second Component Several UN system entities and other related organizations of the Call (Catalytic Investment). provide support to LDCs to help them address their limitation in mobilizing domestic resources for development. The EIF Complementarily, UNDP has established the SDG Finance works to scale up its financial resources and helps the LDCs Sector Hub to support the organization and partner countries become more effective in leveraging additional resources in scaling up their work on financing the SDGs. The Hub through governments, bilateral donors and the private sector, provides users with guidance, service offers, tools, examples both locally and globally. UNODC’s programmes to prevent and expertise needed to support countries in putting SDGs corruption, money laundering and to return stolen assets at the center of the financial system. support LDCs’ prevent the draining of state assets, improving The following sections provide an overview of successful the rule of law and financial integrity, and improving domestic measures implemented by members of the UN system to resource mobilization. advance progress on the IPoA’s five sub-areas related to UNOPS’s work on public procurement and spending is a financing, namely: domestic resource mobilization; ODA; key area which may impact the volume and effectiveness external debt; foreign direct investments; and remittances. of resources available to a government, as outlined in this essay. UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock I. Domestic resource mobilization public and private resources in LDCs, especially at the Domestic resource mobilization remains a significant chal- local level, to reduce poverty and support local economic lenge in many LDCs, as savings are constrained by low development. The Fund further supports domestic resource per-capita income and underdeveloped domestic financial mobilization through fiscal decentralization and policy reform, sector. Per the 2020 edition of the Financing for Sustain- by providing project structuring support and by deploying able Development Report, data from 2018 show that LDCs innovative financial mechanisms to unlock domestic capital have a tax revenue-to-GDP ratio (12) that is substantially for local investment projects. smaller than middle income countries (19), SIDS (22) and developed countries (24). Weak capacity in governmental Additional examples of UN system support to the LDCs in entities and structures across several areas of governments’ the area of domestic resource mobilization are outlined in planning, decision-making and monitoring functions, such boxes 32 and 33. as budgeting; data collection and analysis; difficulty the ability of governments to mobilize domestic resources.

73 Box 32. Initiatives and programmes implemented by the UN system to support the LDCs on domestic resource mobilization

UN Joint SDG Fund: As noted earlier, the UN Joint Fund aims to close the financing gap to achieve the SDGs in developing countries (including LDCs) through systemic action by the UN system. This work is fully aligned with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, while interventions are guided by the UN Secretary-General’s Strategy and Road Map for Financing the 2030 Agenda. As detailed in Box 5, the Fund is committed to forge paths and partnerships that unlock public and private capital for the SDGs at scale, and SDG Financing work seeks to reinforce the SDG financing architecture, and catalyze strategic investments.

Support to INFF’s implementation–UNDP: UNDP’s assistance to countries in the formulation and implementation of INFFs (defined earlier in section 5.3.7) is being pioneered in a few LDCs across regions, and builds on successful development finance assessments facilitated by UNDP in 14 LDCs worldwide. UNDP support includes: building evidence to deepen the understanding and analysis of financing trends and impact; facilitating dialogue between public and private actors at the country level; collaborating with the UN system, international financial institutions (IFIs), and other development partners to support the development of platforms that catalyze more systematic collaboration in policy design, implementation, review and partnerships; and supporting the development and implementation of tools and methodologies.

Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)–UNDP and OECD: UNDP also collaborates with the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) on the programme ‘Tax inspectors without borders (TIWB)’ to facilitate the sharing of tax audit knowledge and skills with tax administrations in developing countries through a “learning by doing” approach. Within the LDCs, the programme is implemented in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Liberia, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia. It develops long-term capacity to tackle tax avoidance and to address complex international tax arrangements which may reduce corporate tax otherwise liable to taxation. Between 2012 and April 2019, more than USD 480 million of cumulative increased revenue was collected in the implementation of the programme. USD 310 million were collected in Africa’s participating countries, and every dollar invested in TIWB programmes has led to USD 100 in additional revenue. Results of the programme in 2018-2019 are available here.

Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS)–IMF, the OECD, the UN and the World Bank: MTRS is an initiative through the Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT), a partnership between the IMF, the OECD, the UN and the World Bank. Government- led and country-owned, the MTRS starts from the formulation of a high-level road map of tax system reform in a country— extending over 4 to 6 years, and consists in the sustained process of implementation of this tax system reform over time. Well-rooted in best practice, the MTRS comprises four components: i) determining spending required to support economic and social development; ii) establishing the tax system reform road map itself—covering tax policy, revenue administration, and the legal framework; iii) ensuring sustained medium-term government commitment to reform; and iv) calling for a coordinated but ‘subordinated” external support to the government-led tax system reform. Uganda is an example of country that has developed an MTRS. Implementation of MTRS in Myanmar and Uganda is discussed in annex of this PCT report.

Trade Facilitation Programme–ITC: The ITC’s Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) provides technical assistance to operationalize the 2013 WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation. The Agreement helps countries and groups of countries that have accepted it to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit; facilitate effective cooperation among Members on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues; and enhance assistance and support for capacity building for developing and LDC Members. Dissemination of results to government officials, parliaments and other key national stakeholders regarding projects and programmes funded by the TFP could help secure and mobilize additional resources from the national budget.

74 Box 33. Examples of projects implemented by the UN system to support LDCs in the mobilization of resources at the domestic level

Supporting LDCs on resource mobilization in Asia-Pacific–ESCAP: Under the UN Development Account Project, ESCAP is implementing a project on ‘Supporting the Countries with Special Needs in Asia-Pacific in meeting the challenge of resource mobilization for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ‘. Of the five pilot countries, four are LDCs (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia and Vanuatu). Through analytical products and advisory and technical services, the project seeks to: identify suitable policies and strategies for resource mobilization; strengthen the capacity of policymakers to effectively allocate and utilize existing financial resources to pursue the 2030 Agenda; ensure a better understanding of existing financial resources; and develop mechanisms on how to raise additional resources for LDCs in the region. As part of the project, ESCAP is supporting Bhutan in launching its first green bond. It has identified capital market development as one of the priorities for Bhutan’s development. In Cambodia, the project has identified the importance to strengthen access of MSMEs to credit. For Vanuatu, the project highlighted the need to enhance access to external finance following the country’s graduation from the LDC category, and supported Vanuatu in its smooth transition strategy.

UNCDF’s resource mobilization support in Somalia, Uganda and Guinea: As par t of a joint UN initiative, UNCDF has suppor ted the local governments in Somalia to raise public revenues, deliver public goods and services, and create investment-friendly environments for local sustainable development. As a result, the targeted districts in Somaliland and Puntland have made a 27% increase in local revenue collection since 2017. This initiative is currently being expanded to eight new districts. UNCDF is also exploring innovations in local finance administration, including data-driven forecasting and budget management along with mobile tax payment mechanisms in the targeted districts. In Uganda, UNCDF supported the stabilization of the northern region of the country by carrying out asset profiling surveys for 18 districts, devising asset management plans and providing training to local officials to enhance local government capacities for asset management and revenue collection. UNCDF has also introduced innovations such as a digitalized tax collection mechanism, which is being piloted in two districts in Northern Uganda. In the Boffa district of Guinea, UNCDF made a strategic investment in a bus terminal and local marketplace, which helped increase local government revenues by 200% in three years. This also triggered investments linked to the new infrastructure in the district, which enabled the local government to better absorb an influx of migrants attracted by a mining investment.

Using risk profiles to mobilize resources in countries from Sub-Saharan Africa–UNDRR: Per UNDRR, greater attention is needed on financing for DRR and prevention, particularly in the LDCs. UNDRR has compiled reports on the detailed analysis of national budgets in 16 sub-Saharan African countries building on their risk profiles. In 2019, three risk profiles (Angola, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia) were complemented with probabilistic cost and benefit analysis of the specific disaster risk reduction interventions. As a result, in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Disaster Management Department included the outcomes of the country-level disaster risk profile into the final draft of the DRR Strategy (2020–2025). The country’s risk profile is in the process of being endorsed as an official document, with the view to lead to DRR investments. Angola also plans to take the Risk Profile to the Government to ask for more investments, and the national DRR authorities are devolving the use of their Risk Profile to benefit stakeholders at the provincial level. In Zambia, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has requested a Parliamentary session to present the results of the Zambia Disaster Risk Profile.

75 A woman sells local vegetables in Hamarwayne market in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: AMISOM Photo / Ilyas Ahmed

In complement to these programmes and projects, UN sys- Reports’ and in the ‘Trade and Development Report’ tem entities and other related organizations have launched series. Policy recommendations on the issue are sum- reports related to domestic resource mobilization that marized in the publication ‘Achieving the Sustainable address LDC issues. For instance: Development Goals in the Least Developed Countries: A compendium of policy options,’ published in 2018. • The ECA’s Economic Report on Africa 2019 was written This latter presents policy options to LDC policymakers on the theme of fiscal policy for financing sustainable in a user-friendly manner. development in Africa, and covers policy ideas for improving domestic resource mobilization in African As part of other initiatives, ESCWA organized the Interna- countries. The report finds that African countries could tional Conference on ‘Financing Sustainable Development: increase fiscal space, particularly through increased Curbing Illicit Financial Flows’, in 2018 which helped advocate government revenues by 12-20% cent of GDP annually for the transition from funding individual projects to financ- by implementing fiscal reforms in six key areas, namely: ing transformative change, and promoted measures to adopting the right fiscal policy stance; reviewing and combat illicit financial flows. The Conference resulted in the updating tax policy; expanding and deepening the Beirut Consensus calling to conclude the Doha Development tax base; improving tax administration; tackling tax Round on trade, and to operationalize the special and differ- avoidance; and enhancing non-tax revenue collection ential provisions availed to developing countries and LDCs. and improving natural resources governance to combat tax evasion. It further notes that countries would benefit II. Official development assistance (ODA)

from trade expansion following removal of tariff and ODA is “government aid that promotes and specifically tar- non-tariff barriers within Africa, and the LDCs would gets the economic development and welfare of developing gain more through expansion of industrial exports. The countries” (OECD DAC, 2019). The UN system does not pro- report includes data on specific countries in Africa, vide ODA, but can raise the importance of, and advocate for, including African LDCs. ODA to LDCs. UN system entities and other related organi- • UNCTAD covers the topics of enhancing domestic re- zations shared support measures on the topic of ODA, for source mobilization in ‘The Least Developed Countries which a selection is presented in Box 34.

76 Box 34. Initiatives carried out by UN system entities and other related organizations to helps the LDCs on ODA

WTO’s Aid-for-Trade Initiative: The WTO’s Aid-for-Trade initiative encourages developing country governments and donors to recognize the role that trade can play in development, and seeks to mobilize resources to address the trade-related constraints identified by developing and LDCs. Since the start of the initiative in 2005, aid-for-trade flows to LDCs have tripled, with commitments reaching USD 18.8 billion in 2017.

Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation–OECD, UNDP: The Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) is a multi-stakeholder platform jointly supported by UNDP and the OECD, that seeks to advance the effectiveness of development efforts, and to deliver long-lasting results that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Within the GPEDC, UNDP worked with LDC governments to identify challenges and opportunities for private sector engagement in development cooperation. Case studies have been documented in Bangladesh and Uganda to provide an overview of the landscape of ODA and the engagement by the private sector. The case studies also identify opportunities and challenges of making private sector engagement, through development co-operation, more effective.

Development Cooperation Forum: The Development Cooperation Forum (DCF), for which DESA serves as the Secretariat, reviews the latest trends and progress in international development cooperation, encourages coordination across diverse actors and activities, and provides policy guidance on international development cooperation. The Forum takes place every two years, and includes a focus on LDCs. In 2016, the DCF issued a policy brief on ‘ODA Allocation and Other Trends in Development Cooperation in LDCs and Vulnerable Contexts’ which highlights the need to deliver ODA through appropriate channels, modalities and instruments most appropriate for benefiting the poorest and most vulnerable people and contexts, and calls on all actors to report on ODA in a transparent manner so its impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people can be assessed. The Forum brings together decision-makers and experts from developing and developed countries, parliamentarians, local governments, civil society organizations, philanthropic foundations, international organizations and development banks, and the private sector.

EIF support to LDCs: The EIF is the only Aid-for-Trade initiative exclusively dedicated to LDCs. In its contribution for this report, the EIF indicated that in its Phase Two, which began in 2016, over USD 74 million19 in funding has been committed to ensuring that the LDCs are empowered to use trade and investment to integrate into global trade for sustainable development and poverty reduction. Accordingly, the EIF, among other support measures, builds the capacity of the LDCs to effectively advocate the importance of trade and to leverage additional resources by accessing trade-related technical and financial assistance from various organizations and initiatives. It also coordinates the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS, more detailed here), a country-led and collaborative process, which allows EIF countries to develop a clear strategy for mainstreaming trade into their National Development Plans (NDPs) or Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP), and to use a sector-by-sector approach in identifying trade-related challenges and opportunities. The Organization also coordinates Action Matrices, the outcomes of the DTIS processes that form the basis for preparing bankable projects aligned with countries’ priorities, and that allow them to advocate for support for trade.

19 As at 26 June 2020

77 In terms of reports and studies that have been prepared Additionally, UNCTAD launched, in 2016, the ‘Economic by the UN system to support the LDCs on ODA, the 2020 Development in Africa Report’ that focuses on debt dynam- edition of the Financing for Sustainable Development Re- ics and development finance in Africa. The report: examines port notes that in 2018, the total net ODA to LDCs fell by 2.1% some of the key policy issues underlying domestic and ex- and accounted for only 0.09% of OECD Development Assis- ternal debt; provides policy guidance on the balance required tance Committee (DAC) members’ gross national income, between financing development alternatives and overall debt below the 0.15-0.20% LDC target. It recommends that “do- sustainability; analyzes the international debt exposure of nors should immediately reverse the decline in ODA, particu- Africa and how domestic debt is increasingly playing a role in larly to LDCs.” UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report some African countries as a development finance option; and 2019 argues that ODA is essential for the LDCs to achieve the examines complementary financing options and how they re- SDGs and eventually escape aid dependence. The report calls late to debt. It provides data and information on all the African on the LDCs’ governments to assume the driver’s seat of their LDCs, and presents case studies on the dynamics and deter- development agenda and take a more proactive role in man- minants of domestic debt in the United Republic of Tanzania aging the allocation of external development finance in align- and Zambia. ment with national development priorities. It suggests the adoption of a proposed “Aid Effectiveness Agenda 2.0”, which UNCTAD also implemented a UN Development Account is the revitalization of the traditional aid effectiveness agen- project on building capacity to address regulatory and da, with the international community stepping up its support institutional gaps in sovereign debt governance. Including towards this common goal. The State of Financing Develop- Bangladesh, Haiti, Mauritania, Nepal and Togo as beneficiaries, ment in the Arab Region, published by ESCWA in 2018, also and implemented during the 2013–2017 period, the project’s discusses the ODA’s situation and needs in the Arab region. main activities consisted of: conducting a diagnostic study of the countries’ institutional and regulatory framework with III. External debt respect to sovereign debt governance; providing capacity- Based on the Financing For Sustainable Development Report building to fill the gaps identified; and organizing a study tour 2020, 44% of LDCs and other low-income developing coun- for policymakers from project countries to a host country tries are currently at high risk or in debt distress, which cor- with a more developed institutional framework in sovereign responds to a doubling of debt risk in under five years (which debt management. More details on this project are provided was evaluated at 22% in 2015), and this number could rise in this report. as COVID-19 and related global economic and commodity price shocks put increasing pressure on some countries, ESCWA also notes that it provides technical assistance to particularly oil exporters. A small number of organizations its Member States (including Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen), that participated to this study reported best practices on this with a focus on investment agreements, tax efficiency, work- area. Box 35 and the rest of this section give an overview of ers’ remittances, financial inclusion and debt management. these best practices.

Box 35. UNCTAD’s Debt Management and Financial Analysis System

The UNCTAD’s Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) seeks to: help developing countries and countries with economies in transition develop appropriate administrative, institutional and legal structures for effective debt management; provide direct assistance to debt offices with its products and services, including capacity-building; maintain and improve state-of-the-art debt analysis and management systems; and provide or serve as a focal point for dis- cussion and exchange of experience about debt management. UNCTAD has provided this support since the early 1980s, and continues to lend support to the 21 LDCs that are using DMFAS software to strengthen their capacity to effectively manage central-government and government-guaranteed debt, and to achieve sustainable debt levels. Per UNCTAD, the programme has improved the availability of timely, reliable debt records, which are essential for prudent risk analysis and the elaboration of strategies aimed at ensuring debt sustainability.

78 IV. Foreign direct investments (FDIs) business support organizations and enterprises to assess and take advantage of South-South trade and invest- A great variety of measures have been or are being implement opportunities, and to address practical obstacles. In mented by the UN system to help developing countries and 2020, ITC plans to support over USD 200 million of busi- LDCs attract private international capital flows. At the pro- ness and investment deals, generated by beneficiary MS- grammatic level, for example, the ITC South-South Trade MEs in Eastern Africa through South-South value chains. and Investment Programme uses trade and investment as a vehicle for value addition and sustained economic growth The Investment Support Programme for LDCs (ISP/LDCs)— and development. Through the Programme, the Centre further detailed in Box 36—offers legal and expert assistance focuses on sectors that offer market opportunities and to help requesting LDC governments and private firms have the potential to be catalysts for development impact with resource constraints to increase sustainable FDI and (including agribusiness, light manufacturing, technology maximize the benefits they derive from it. and services sectors). It also assists partner governments,

Box 36. The Investment Support Programme for LDCs

The Investment Support Programme for the LDCs (ISP/LDCs) was designed through cooperation between UN-OHRLLS, and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO)–an intergovernmental organization with 37 member States including developed and developing countries, as well as several LDCs. As an IDLO programme, it provides legal and technical advice and assistance to requesting LDCs on negotiations, dispute settlement, and other investment related matters, as well as training to develop their capacity in these areas.

The ISP/LDCs seeks to address the capacity constraints that LDC governments and eligible state-owned or private sector entities with resource limitations may face in investment relationships with foreign counterparts through lawyers and experts, who agree to provide support on a pro bono or reduced-fee basis. Examples of support activities offered by the programme include:

• Reviewing the feasibility of a proposed investment project between the beneficiary and a potential foreign investor, and conducting other related assessments and evaluations. • Drafting and negotiating contractual provisions and tender documents. • Preparing financial structures for the operation and management of a proposed project. • Selecting the dispute settlement method and monitoring system to ensure contract compliance and avoidance of disputes. • Preparing and conducting negotiations of investment-related agreements and strengthening the capacity of beneficiary officials active in this field. • Advising and/or representing the beneficiary in existing or potential arbitration, mediation or negotiation proceedings between the beneficiary and an investor, and in the enforcement (or challenge) of an award. • Selecting arbitrators, preparing submissions, evidence and attending arbitration hearings.

Typically, legal and other experts are made available to the beneficiary to provide technical assistance and help achieve the most beneficial outcomes. IDLO has secured the support of a large roster of law firms, professional associations, universities, research centers and non-governmental organizations who have agreed to collaborate with the programme and provide services on a pro bono or reduced fee basis. The assistance under the ISP/LDCs is demand-driven, provided upon request, and designed for quick response. All expenses are borne by the programme and provided at no cost to the beneficiary. Further information on the ISP/LDCs is available here.

79 Moreover, the Business Facilitation eRegulations Programme to value chain services, markets, technical knowledge and of UNCTAD seeks to help countries simplify and automate finance through a new USD 2.5 million project by the two their rules and procedures relating to investment and entre- partners. The pilot scheme should stimulate greater in- preneurship. It often reduces administrative procedures and vestment along agricultural value chains and should reach required forms and documentation by 80%. Its eRegulations small-scale farmers and their organizations more directly. As system, operational in 11 LDCs, contributes to increased part of additional FDI related projects in LDCs, impact funds, transparency and greater institutional capacity, thereby facil- investment portfolios and FDI indicators are also being pro- itating business and making such countries more attractive moted as means to achieve sustainable development out- to foreign investors. The system has helped the creation of comes, as shown in Box 37. new businesses in beneficiary countries.

In terms of projects, the FAO and the Government of Bangladesh seek to improve Bangladeshi farmers’ access

Box 37. Examples of UN system projects aiming to support LDCs on FDI

Build Bangladesh-UNDP impact fund and partnership: Among other initiatives, UNDP in partnership with Build Bangladesh, launched an ‘impact fund’ that aims to raise over USD 100 million by 2021 from private investors willing to back profitable ventures that create positive social and environmental impacts in Bangladesh. The Fund started with a seed investment of USD 3.5 million to build affordable housing for urban migrants, and is part of the UNDP’s impact investment initiative for Asia-Pacific that seeks to mobilize capital markets to fund development that yields competitive returns.

In addition to the Impact Fund, the Build Bangladesh and UNDP partnership has played a major role in building a sustainable impact economy ecosystem in the country. Important legislative and institutional reforms have taken place in recent years in favor of impact investment, which was actively promoted by the partnership. Build Bangladesh and UNDP were also key for the establishment of the National Advisory Board for Impact Investing in Bangladesh. The Board is charged with catalyzing and guiding the global and local market for impact investing by identifying and lifting barriers to the development of the market.

Helping Malawi establish an investment portfolio–EIF: In Malawi, the Government has introduced a series of fiscal incentives, including tax breaks, to attract foreign investors and empower the private sector to drive economic growth. With support from the EIF, the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre put together an investment portfolio spanning 20 companies in the country’s six major economic growth sectors: agriculture; manufacturing; energy (bio-energy and mobile electricity); tourism (ecolodges); infrastructure (wastewater services and fiber-optic cables); and mining.

Providing country-specific sustainable FDI indicators, and facilitating knowledge sharing on FDI–ESCAP: ESCAP is involved in a project that seeks to develop country-specific sustainable FDI indicators in Cambodia. As part of this work, ESCAP is working with the Government and the investment promotion agency to identify sustainable development priority sectors, and develop an indicative set of weighted indicators that the Government can use to identify, evaluate and channel FDI into its key SDG priority sectors. ESCAP is also collaborating with several other countries on FDI indicators, with the view that these indicators could be used by LDCs and non-LDCs as a basis for developing their own tailored indicators to better channel FDI in SDG relevant sectors. These indicators will be widely disseminated in the forthcoming second volume of ESCAP’s Handbook on FDI Policy (2021).

80 The wood processing at a wood depot near Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: Flore de Preneuf / World Bank

Also, UNCTAD has issued a number of tools on FDI. For country levels, and on emerging measures to improve FDI’s instance, in order to provide investors with up-to-date contribution to development. Every issue of the report in- information on business costs, investment opportunities cludes data and information on LDCs, as well as an analysis and conditions in developing countries, it has made available of FDI trends during the previous year. The World Investment investment guides (iGuides) that are developed by beneficiary Report 2018 ‘Investment and New Industrial Policies,’ for governments under its guidance. iGuides have been or are example, comprises a specific section on structural weak, being developed online for Burundi, the Democratic Republic vulnerable and small economies that focuses on LDCs, LL- of the Congo, Djibouti, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. DCs and SIDS. The report notes that FDI has been the larg- The Organization also launched the investment policy reviews est source of external finance for developing economies that provide an objective evaluation of a country’s legal, over the past decade, and the most resilient to economic regulatory and institutional framework for FDI to attract and financial shocks. It finds that, in 2017, this source of fi- more investment and maximize the benefits from it. The nance made up 39% of total incoming finance in developing reviews include FDI entry and establishment, treatment and economies as a group, but less than a quarter in the LDCs. protection of investment, taxation, the business environment Per the report, FDI showed a downward trend in LDCs, with and sectoral regulations. As of July 2020, 42 such reviews a 17% fall in 2017, the second consecutive year of decline. have been completed, 18 of which were prepared for LDCs. UNCTAD also prepares annually an Investment Monitor that provides analysis and updates on investment trends, oppor- Furthermore, UNCTAD organizes the World Investment tunities and challenges in LDCs. The monitor is part of a set Forum, a high-level, biennial, multi-stakeholder gathering of activities for the UN System Chief Executives Board for designed to facilitate dialogue and action on the world’s Coordination (CEB) to help increase the coverage, scope and key emerging investment-related challenges. The Forum effectiveness of the UN system’s support to investment pro- seeks to promote investment flows that contribute to sus- motion in LDCs. tainable and inclusive development, and provides a platform for LDCs and other countries to showcase investment On capacity building, several UN system entities and other opportunities to an international audience and engage with related organizations have put in place measures to support international organizations and senior business executives. the LDCs on FDI related topics, including on investment Complementarily, the UNCTAD’s ‘World Investment Report’ promotion and on supporting and training investment series focus on trends in FDI worldwide, at the regional and promotion agencies. Some are outlined in Box 38.

81 Box 38. Examples of capacity building measures on FDI

Capacity-building project for graduating LDCs on investment promotion–EIF: The EIF is currently collaborating with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) on a capacity-building project for graduating LDCs on investment promotion. The project will increase the capacity of stakeholders in the LDCs to develop investment friendly policies for leveraging sustainable investment and improve the coordination of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the LDCs. The project is part of UN-OHRLLS’ joint initiative with UNCTAD, UNIDO, ILO, the EIF and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) to set up a capacity-development programme for the IPAs of the LDCs in line with IPOA.

Asia-Pacific FDI Network–ESCAP:Created in 2010 by ESCAP, the Asia-Pacific FDI Network includes government focal points focused on FDI policy making. The Network seeks to facilitate knowledge and experience sharing on FDI policy development and promotion among FDI policy makers from the region, especially among LDC countries. The Networks’ meetings are an opportunity to enhance the capacity of Network members, particularly from LDCs, to promote, attract and facilitate FDI for sustainable development. In 2019, ESCAP held two regional meetings of the Network: one focused on investment facilitation for sustainable development, and a second more broadly focused on emerging trends and experience sharing on FDI policy. Policymakers from eight LDC countries in Asia-Pacific participated in each respective meeting and benefited from the knowledge sharing and discussions in both workshops.

ESCAP workshops on FDI: ESCAP also delivers regular national training workshops to increase the awareness and capacity of LDCs to formulate policies and strategies to promote and facilitate FDI for sustainable development, with a focus on improving the capacity of LDCs in these areas. The most recent workshop, held in December 2019 in Timor-Leste, provided opportunities for policy makers to discuss the country-specific challenges on establishing an environment conducive for investment at the central and provincial levels. It also enabled them to develop practical solutions, together with ESCAPs team of FDI experts, to address these obstacles, including through comprehensive investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare activities.

Providing support and trainings to IPAs–WAIPA, ILO and other organizations: The ILO and WAIPA signed a cooperation agreement to support investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in attracting FDI in developing countries that lead to the creation of quality jobs and decent work, sustainable enterprises and more inclusive growth. The ILO, WAIPA and UNIDO, also provide training to IPAs to enhance their capacity to attract FDI that will contribute to SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure). IPAs from LDCs such as Ethiopia, Haiti, Niger and Zambia participated to these trainings. More details are available here and here. Moreover, ILO, UNCTAD and UNIDO, together with WAIPA and UN-OHRLLS, are developing a joint project to build capacity of LDC IPAs in Africa.

V. Remittances flows; high remittance transaction cost; unfavorable policy and regulatory environment; limited capacity of the regulator Remittances are a critical source of finance for development to monitor remittance flows; lack of availability of digital re- at the individual and household level in many LDCs. UNCDF mittance channels; and limited offering of remittance-linked noted that in 2019, formal international remittance flows to financial and investment products available for the diaspora. low and middle-income countries were approximately USD 551 billion, and an estimated USD 40 billion went to LDCs. To address these challenges, a number of support measures However, the Fund also remarks that the potential of remit- were put in place by the UN system. A successful initiative tances to support sustainable development is not being met is the ACP-EU Migration Action programme implemented by and remittance markets still suffer from many inefficiencies the International Organization for Migration (IOM), presented and obstacles including: persistence of informal remittance in Box 39.

82 Box 39. ACP-EU Migration Action

In 2014, the ACP and the European Union (EU) established the ACP-EU Migration Action to provide tangible support in areas of strategic interest to the ACP and European Union partners. The Migration Action was initiated to support the ACP-EU Dialogue on Migration and Development, an inter-regional forum on migration comprised of some 108 Member States, including 35 LDCs. The Migration Action operates under the auspices of the ACP Secretariat and the European Commission, and is implemented by IOM.

The programme supports activities in several areas of migration, including remittances. For example, many remittance- related technical assistance initiatives have been undertaken, including several for LDCs which have contributed to mobilizing financial resources for development, and the UN’s larger SDG and Financing for Development objectives. These included, amongst other things, projects on:

• Productive use of remittances (Djibouti) • Market strategy and remittances policy (Sierra Leone, Somalia) • Data collection (Togo) • Remittance cost reduction (Mali) • Formalization of informal remittances (Ethiopia)

In early 2019, the Migration Action convened a regional thematic meeting, on ‘Remittances in sub-Saharan Africa.’ The meeting analyzed the trends, challenges and opportunities related to remittances in the region, and presented several recommendations to improve the remittances environment. The recommendations are based on lessons from technical assistance activities undertaken and include: i) create an enabling regulatory framework for cross-border payments; ii) improve domestic payments infrastructure; iii) improve data collection on remittances and payments systems; iv) increase transparency; v) introduce incentives to lower the costs of remittances; vi) improve irregular migrants’ access to formal remittances; vii) use remittances as a tool for financial inclusion; viii) encourage the formalization of remittance mechanisms; and ix) improve coordination among stakeholders.

These recommendations have been integrated into a roadmap to support implementation. A report on the ACP-EU Migration Action programme provides further information on main challenges in thematic areas that need to be addressed at national and regional levels, including remittances, and recommendations on a way forward to improve future action.

As other examples of support, ESCWA updated the Arab FfD intra-regional trade and remittance flows to address critical Scorecard in 2018 to render the opportunity lost from hav- short-term liquidity constraints in LDC financial markets. ing high cost transfer corridors. The scorecard is a regional Also, UNCDF launched a Remittance Challenge Fund in measurement and analytical tool that assesses remittances 2017. The Fund supported the company Thunes, a global in the region, among other financial resources, and includes cross border mobile payments network for emerging mar- data and information on Arab LDCs (Mauritania, Sudan and kets with 75,000+ Remittance Touchpoints in the Cambodia, Yemen), as shown in this report on the Scorecard results. Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Vietnam The report notes, for example, that the investment of remit- region. The UNCDF grant and technical support helped link tances in areas such as education and health has, to varying Thunes’ remittance sending partners with a range of new degrees, had a positive effect on growth in Sudan. receiving microfinance institutions (MFIs) and non-MFI UNCDF has established a framework which focuses on pro- partners to increase women’s access to formal remittance moting digital infrastructure and innovative inclusive digital services with low remittance fees. Since its launch, a total remittance business models to facilitate the formalization of 150,754 clients have completed transactions, of which of remittances at cheaper transaction costs (more informa- 52% were women, and 95,050 people have used it more tion on linking remittances with digital services is available than once. here). UNCDF also promotes the use of local currencies in

83 Crops sorting at the Al Obaied market in Sudan. Photo: Salahaldeen Nadir/ World Bank

5.3.8 Good governance at all levels UN High Commissioner for Refugees has seen in almost 70 years. Good governance and the rule of law at the local, national and international levels are essential for sustained, inclusive Governance and the weakness of state institutions some- and equitable economic growth, sustainable development times lead to limited budget execution, corruption, and the and the eradication of poverty and hunger. They are also es- dominance of politics and economy over other consider- sential for the achievement of the commitments embodied ations. Poor governance also impacts the perpetuation of in the IPoA. Sustainable development in LDCs is closely inequality and discrimination because despite countries linked to peace and security. Conflict-affected LDCs require having good legal framework, the laws are not always en- context- specific approaches to address poverty, security forced by the executive or the judiciary powers due to a lack and governance in an integrated manner. (IPoA, paragraphs of judicial independence. 126, 128) Having said that, some UN system entities and other related Good governance is a broad area that comprises several organizations have been assisting countries in taking action components, such as the rule of law, human rights, demo- on governance, and in translating international instruments cratic participation, and enhancing the role of parliaments. related to good governance at the national level. Based on the IPoA, this area also includes: preventing corruption and increasing transparency (including of budgets For instance, UNODC supports countries in implementing and expenditure); building durable peace and ensure sta- the UN Convention against Corruption, and the UN Conven- bility, security and sustainable and inclusive development; tion against Transnational Organized Crime. It also assists and strengthening the voice and participation of LDCs in Member States in activities such as: implementing pro- relevant international forums (a topic that has already been grammes linked to preventing the leakage of public funds, covered in section 5.1). including through money laundering and corruption; combatting the financing of terrorism; returning stolen assets; Based on recent global reports, there is still much to be and improving the quality and implementation of criminal done to make progress on these issues. As such, ‘The Sus- justice reforms. As another example, UNOPS works to sup- tainable Development Goals Report 2019,’ notes that no port national public partners in efficient and transparent pro- substantial advances have been made in recent years to- curement, a key aspect of good governance, in view of the wards ending violence, promoting the rule of law, strength- often significant amounts of public resources involved. ening institutions at all levels, or increasing access to justice, and in 2018, the number of people fleeing war, persecution This section provides an overview of selected best practices and conflict exceeded 70 million, the highest level that the on good governance.

84 Box 40. Examples of programmes and projects implemented by the UN system on governance related issues

ILO’s Jobs for Peace and Resilience, and PROSPECTS Programmes: ILO’s work on governance includes the global flagship ‘Jobs for Peace and Resilience’ programme, which focuses on job creation and access to jobs through employment intensive investment, skills development, employment services, and enterprise development as a means of contributing to more peaceful and resilient societies. It also includes its PROSPECTS partnership programme that aims to foster the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and their protection, and to strengthen the resilience of host communities. A number of LDCs are included in both of these large scale global programmes, which, in addition to job creation, often focus on institution building, effective social dialogue and the promotion of rights, As part of the ‘Jobs for Peace and Resilience’ programme, the ILO launched a project in the Central African Republic, in 2018, to reduce the risk of conflict and consolidate peace through two mechanisms: creating jobs for marginalized youth and building basic infrastructure in the areas of intervention; and promoting peaceful coexistence through increased contact, by encouraging social dialogue and adopting a rights-based approach.

Helping Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) conduct audits of government preparedness to implement the SDGs–DESA, INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI): T hro u gh a c o llab o ratio n wi th th e Inte r natio nal O rg aniz atio n of S u p re m e Au di t Ins ti tu tio ns (INTOSAI) Development Initiative (IDI), the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government in DESA supported SAIs from all countries, to conduct audits of government preparedness to implement the SDGs. As of 2018, more than 70 SAIs, including 27 LDCs, had joined the programme. Through their oversight function, SAIs can hold governments accountable for their efforts to implement the SDGs. They can help ensure that financial resources mobilized for SDG implementation are spent efficiently, effectively and transparently. External auditors can also provide independent insight on the outcomes and impacts of programmes and policies to achieve the SDGs, on critical risks and challenges, and on good practices involved in setting up the necessary governance systems to implement the SDGs.

UNDP’s projects on strengthening governance in LDCs: UNDP is working with LDCs (e.g. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Liberia, Nepal, Uganda and Sudan) on strengthening governance and accountability at national and sub-national levels. For instance, in Liberia, UNDP helped empower youth engagement in national elections. The project on ‘Enhancing Youth Participation in the 2017 Elections’ increased youth participation in the 2017 elections process and dissuaded them from engaging in electoral violence, including gender-based electoral violence. It also specifically engaged with youth audiences to provide civic education, and democratic values and processes. The project resulted in: i) 15,000 campaign messages; ii) 60 civic education events; iii) 17 confidence and trust-building activities; iv) 2,250 Youth (40% female) trained in community policing, peacebuilding, and early warning; the establishment of 15 County Youth Peace Committees; 25 youth leaders from the 15 counties trained in dispute resolution and mediation; and engagements with people with disabilities in all of the 73 national electoral districts. In Somalia, UNDP partners with the World Bank as part of a flagship Capacity Development Programme to support the Somali government in restoring core government functions, specifically its civil service and aid management institutions. By doing so, it helps the country move forward from decades of humanitarian assistance towards stronger public sector institutions that can deliver services to local populations.

Supporting counter-terrorism legal process in Niger–UNODC, UNV: UNODC in collaboration with UN Volunteers recruited UN Volunteers in Niger to support the Nigerien judicial authorities with the review of cases of pre-trial detainees suspected of terrorism. As a result, Niger processed 230 cases involving terrorism suspects in 60 days, while creating employment opportunities for young Nigeriens, increasing the capacity of the Nigerien judicial system, and achieving operational results in the process. More information on this experience is available here.

85 Supporting Nepalese participation in national decisions on nutrition and food security–FAO: In Nepal, the FAO took governance steps to strengthen policy dialogue and ensure the participation of communities and civil society organizations in crucial decisions involving their nutrition and food security. More specifically, it supported the development of a national framework to measure progress on the realization of the right to food that brought together national institutions, the National Human Rights Commission, parliamentary committees and civil society organizations.

Helping countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific to conduct participatory diagnostic processes–UNCDF: UNCDF conducted participatory diagnostic processes in 14 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific region to support governments to design holistic national financial inclusion roadmaps and implement policy solutions to leverage financial services to meet the SDGs. In 11 of these countries, the national roadmaps have been adopted by national governments in the form of official national financial inclusion strategies, which are under implementation

Contributing to good governance and sustainability of quality infrastructure in LDCs–UNIDO: Between 2014 and 2017, an inter-regional project on achieving good governance through quality policy formulation was carried out in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region, that includes Afghanistan as LDC. Among other objectives, the project sought to provide ECO Member States with a framework for the development of quality infrastructure. It involved support to Afghanistan’s national quality policy formulation with appropriate guidelines and training on its application.

86 The training center for young people in Madagascar. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO In addition, many organizations have developed tools and corruption, and performing audits of SDG preparedness in frameworks to help countries make progress on governance governments. Those are outlined in Box 41. related topics such as accessing development data, reducing

Box 41. Tools and frameworks developed by UN system entities and other related organizations to support good governance in countries

IMF Framework for Enhanced Engagement on governance and corruption: Over the years, the IMF has helped reduce vulnerabilities to corruption by assisting members in strengthening their public financial management, revenue administration, fiscal transparency, central bank governance, financial sector oversight, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption frameworks, rule of law and regulatory environments.

In April 2018 the IMF Board endorsed a Framework for Enhanced Engagement on governance and corruption to more systematically and evenhandedly:

• Assess the severity and impact of governance and corruption vulnerabilities.

• Provide policy advice and capacity development interventions in circumstances where—on the basis of the severity of vulnerabilities—the Fund engagement is justified.

• Recommend measures to curb the international facilitation of corruption (“supply-side” and “concealment” issues).

The IMF paper presenting the framework is complemented by an annex outlining results from a meta-analysis of the impact of corruption and the quality of governance on growth, and includes data on low-income countries. Per the Fund, early results from the framework’s implementation are seen in: i) the IMF expanding coverage of corruption in Article IV reports, for example in Guinea Bissau and Central African Republic; ii) more systematically supporting governance and anti-corruption measures in programmes (governance issues being a core objective in many programmes, for instance in the Republic of Congo and Mali); and iii) adopting Governance Diagnostic and anti-corruption plans (which were published in the Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Equatorial Guinea). Technical assistance and training to assist countries in strengthening governance and anti-corruption efforts is also being stepped up. More information on the IMF and good governance is available here.

World Bank’s Open Data Website: Through its Open Data Website, the World Bank contributes to transparency by giving free and open access to global development data, including to more than 1,400 development indicators that can be viewed in tables, charts, maps, or downloaded in one of several open formats. The database includes information (such as GDP, population, school enrollment, CO2 emissions) on all the LDCs. Indicators and metadata are available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese, and most country profiles are available in their native languages.

UNCDF-OECD World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment: UNCDF supports the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment (SNG-WOFI), a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2016 and led by OECD and United Cities and Local Government (UCLG). The initiative seeks to, inter alia: ensure provision of standardized, reliable and transparent access to data on subnational government structure, finance and investment; and support international dialogue and decision-making on multi-level governance and subnational finance. SNG-WOFI produces the largest international database on subnational government structure and finance. According to the SNG-WOFI 2019 report, the database comprises 23 of the 47 LDCs, and is complemented by country profiles which provide quantitative and qualitative information on multi-level governance systems in more than 20 LDCs, and other countries The 2019 edition of the database has expanded coverage to over 120 countries, which represent 86% of the world’s population and 89% of world GDP.

87 DESA-INTOSAI methodology for auditing government preparedness for SDG implementation: DESA, in collaboration with INTOSAI, developed a methodology for auditing government preparedness for SDG implementation, as part of their SDG audit programme. The methodology was implemented in all world regions through hands-on training and review workshops, including an e-course (in both Spanish and English) and individualized mentoring. 26 SAIs from LDCs participated in the programme: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Dem- ocratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Guinea; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Liberia; Madagascar; Mali; Nepal; Niger; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Tuvalu; Uganda; and Zambia.

ECA Integrated Planning and Reporting Toolk (IPRT): ECA created an Integrated Planning and Reporting Toolkit (IPRT) that contributes to improve multi-level governance by ensuring that national development plans are aligned to the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda. The Toolkit, that has been introduced to 11 LDCs, also shows where national plans have substantial gaps that might require substantive support from development partners in order to achieve the targets set out by the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

OSAA’s partnership with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM): Through its partnership with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Secretariat, OSAA highlights issues of good governance in general, and the role of the APRM as an instrument for promoting the quality of governance. The APRM was established in 2003 by the African Union in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and includes most African LDCs as members. It serves as a tool for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration. In the framework of the APRM, countries undertake self-monitoring in all aspects of their governance and socio-economic development, and AU stakeholders participate in the self-assessment of all branches of government–executive, legislative and judicial–as well as the private sector, civil society and the media.

Reports have also been developed by IACG members to governance is considered highest in developed coun- improve the various components of governance at the tries as a whole and is weakest in LDCs, and overall, country level. As an illustration: countries with special needs (LDCs and LLDCs), which face governance issues, do not particularly use e-gov- • ESCAP published the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special ernment platforms even though they could benefit con- Needs Development Report 2018 that highlights the siderably from their usage. importance of sustainable development and sustaining peace for the Asia-Pacific LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. The • As part of its support to LDCs in promoting governance report indicates that conflict risks in countries with through right to food-based policy and legislative work, special needs are rooted in a variety of factors, ranging FAO published a complete review of the past 15 years from poverty to inequalities of opportunities, resources, in implementing the Right to Food Guidelines. The migration and climate change. It also finds that these Organization has also supported Parliamentary Fronts countries exhibit limited capacities to cope with con- Against Hunger, a group of parliamentarians in Latin flict risks, and are therefore more susceptible to conflict America and the Caribbean that seeks to eradicate hunger than other developing countries in the region. and malnutrition in the region through the formulation of effective legislation and public policies, awareness- • ESCAP issued the Economic and Social Survey of Asia raising and alliances with civil society, academia, inter- and the Pacific 2017: Governance and Fiscal Manage- national organizations, and other key actors. ment, which includes information and data on LDCs from the region. The report finds that the quality of • OHCHR, in collaboration with the International Budget governance affects development outcomes through Partnership (IBP), published the report ‘Realizing Hu- its impact on the composition and efficiency of public man Rights through Government Budgets’ to enable expenditure. It further indicates that, at the global level, government officials, including from LDCs, to be guided

88 A well-child consultation at the health center in Nampula, Mozambique underlines the need to protect global immunization progress and access to vaccines for all. Photo: Fernando Fidélis / MCSP

by their human rights obligations as they develop and discusses the role of SAIs, and stresses the importance implement revenue-raising schemes. The report–that of legislatures, other bodies, and civil society, in holding includes information and experiences from the Demo- a government to account for how it raises and spends cratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, the public’s money. One of its annexes outlines a list of Sierra Leone, the United Republic of Tanzania and methodologies for monitoring and analyzing budgets, Uganda seeks to help government officials decide on and their potential use for human rights monitoring and budget allocations, implement planned expenditure, analysis. and assess the budget’s impact on the realization of human rights. It comprises summaries of case studies,

89 6. EARLY ACTION TAKEN BY IACG MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE LDCS ON COVID-19

While preparing this report, the world has faced the unprec- 6.1 Setting the context: UN comprehensive edented challenges of COVID-19. In the LDCs, the pandemic responses to COVID-19 represents both a health crisis and a significant economic As COVID-19 started to spread around the world, the slow-down due to a collapse in commodity prices (oil, miner- Secretary-General issued a UN comprehensive response in als, food and other commodities account for more than 70% order to leave no-one behind, reduce vulnerability to future of the merchandise exports from LDCs). These impacts are pandemics, build resilience to shocks (including climate compounded by already constrained budgets, limited techni- change), and overcome the severe and systemic inequalities cal capacity, and scarce financial resources. exposed by the crisis.

Across the world, the UN system has responded swiftly and The UN comprehensive response seeks to promote: the in a coordinated manner to help countries address health, delivery of a large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive humanitarian and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. health response; the adoption of policies that address the Guided by the UN framework for the immediate socio-eco- devastating socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights nomic response to COVID-19, which is an integrated support aspects of the crisis; and a recovery process that builds package offered by the United Nations Development System, back better. The response–addressed to LDCs among other UN Country Teams (UNCTs) are implementing immediate countries in need of support–is based on three main avenues: measures to support countries in meeting the most pressing socio-economic needs and mitigating adverse socio-eco- • Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to support nomic impacts. immediate health needs: Produced by WHO and partners, the Response Plan sets out the priorities for the The current COVID-19 pandemic increases LDCs’ socio-eco- global health response. It aims at enabling countries, in nomic vulnerability, affects their resilience capabilities, and particular those that are the most vulnerable and that threatens to undo their progress achieved towards sustain- have the weakest health systems, to prepare for and able development over the past decades. Among many other respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The plan is financed impacts, the pandemic risks to overwhelm the health sys- through several channels, including governments’ bud- tems, cause food shortages, affect sectors such as tourism gets, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and agriculture, create loss of jobs and income, push more and WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund, which allows people into poverty, and divert focus and resources from na- corporations and individuals to directly contribute. tional development priorities towards containing the spread • Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) to fight of the pandemic. the impact in the most vulnerable countries: Launched LDCs have called for scaled-up international support to in March 2020 by the UN Office for the Coordination address the social and economic impact of COVID-19. They of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the plan sets out the have launched a call for a global stimulus package for LDCs priorities for the COVID-19 response in vulnerable and to be implemented with immediate effect. poor countries. It is the primary vehicle for raising resources for the immediate COVID-19 related health and This section illustrates the first responses undertaken by multi-sectoral needs in more than 63 priority countries, IACG members to help developing countries, including the including most LDCs. The Response Plan was revised LDCs, address the pandemic. It does not present an exhaus- in early May 2020 to include a USD 6.71 billion appeal tive description of the initiatives carried out, but instead to: contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides examples of responses. These examples outline decrease morbidity and mortality; decrease the dete- complementary support measures to the LDCs that focus rioration of human assets and rights, social cohesion on the various dimensions of the pandemic. and livelihoods; and protect, assist and advocate for

90 refugees, internally displaced people, migrants and host 2 billion (to be reviewed with the evolution of needs as communities particularly vulnerable to the pandemic. a result of the pandemic). The plan is implemented by UN agencies working with The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is designed international NGOs and NGO consortia around the world. to enable rapid action across the five pillars of the UN • COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund: The Secre- framework for the immediate socio-economic response tary-General launched the COVID-19 Response and to COVID-19. This action is already taking place on the Recovery Fund to support rapid social and economic ground in LDCs (see for instance, examples of Myanmar, recovery in middle and lower-income countries, and Malawi, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic) under the support those “most vulnerable” to economic hardship leadership of UN Resident Coordinators. Box 42 provides and social disruption. Launched on 31 March 2020, more information on the UN framework for the immediate the multi-donor trust fund is anticipated to require socio-economic response to COVID-19, and its implemen- USD 1 billion over the first nine months of its operation, tation in countries, including in LDCs. and its financial requirements are projected at USD

Box 42. UN development system coordinated support on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic

The UN development system has released in April 2020 the UN framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19 an integrated support package “to protect the needs and rights of people living under the duress of the pandemic, with particular focus on the most vulnerable countries, groups, and people who risk being left behind.” The framework seeks to operationalize the UN Secretary-General’s Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity report on this topic.

Guided by the Framework, the UN system on the ground has responded with coordinated health, humanitarian and socio- economic support to the pandemic. UN country teams are implementing immediate measures to meet the most pressing socio-economic needs and mitigate the most exigent socio-economic impacts.

The UN’s socio-economic response framework includes five streams of work connected by strong environmental sustainability and gender equality imperative to build back better:

• Ensuring that essential health services are still available and protecting health systems.

• Helping people cope with adversity, through social protection and basic services.

• Protecting jobs, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and the most vulnerable productive actors.

• Guiding the necessary surge in fiscal and financial stimulus to make macroeconomic policies work for the most vulnerable and strengthening multilateral and regional responses.

• Promoting social cohesion and investing in community-led resilience and response systems.

The heart of the response lies at the national and sub-national level, using existing structures. The implementation of the UN’s socio- economic response framework over the next 12-18 months will be undertaken under the leadership of the Resident Coordinators, with support from UNDP as technical lead, and the UN country teams working as one across all facets of the response. In programme countries, the UN is conducting assessments of impact and helping formulate initial offers of support. Each Resident Coordinator, in her/his joint capacity as Humanitarian Coordinator, will also drive coherence between the socio-economic response and humanitarian interventions, as well as the health response, under the technical lead of WHO.

91 Box 43. Coordinating efforts to address COVID-19 in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, several AFPs (including the ILO, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and UNCDF) came together to work on a joint policy note on COVID-19 and social protection. The note was submitted to the Government, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic RC Office is planning to organize a meeting involving the AFPs and the Government to identify options outlined in the paper that are the more relevant to the country. Despite the urge to quickly respond individually, AFPs recognized the benefits of working together, thereby reducing the burden on the host government.

UNCTs are preparing UN-specific socio-economic response resources (on average US$48.5 million per UNCT). These plans (SERPs) leveraging the expertise available across the finalized SERPs still have a funding gap of US$5.3 billion, system including from the Regional Economic Commissions which calls for urgent support from the international com- and in collaboration with relevant partners, including the munity. International Financial Institutions. SERPs have explicit linkages with national response and development plans and 6.2 Examples of IACG support provided to the the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. LDCs for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic They focus on those most impacted by the pandemic to ensure that the response protects the most vulnerable and In line with the UN comprehensive response presented does not aggravate existing structural inequalities, as well above, UN entities have been working on various measures as to sow the seeds of a better future. The UN response is to support the LDCs in their efforts to address the pandemic. also designed to ensure that the most vulnerable groups UNDP has released an integrated response to help coun- in the communities, who are often the most impacted, are tries prepare for, respond to and recover from the COVID-19 supported by clearly identifying the vulnerable groups spe- pandemic. With a particular focus on the “most vulnerable,” cific to countries and providing targeted support to them. the initiative prioritizes health system support, inclusive and For example, the UN in Myanmar’s plan, which focuses on integrated crisis management, and social and economic the building back better agenda, is derived from a strong impact needs assessment and response. In Eritrea and Dji- multidimensional risk and vulnerability analysis (including bouti, UNDP is helping secure life-supporting medical equip- climate, disaster and conflict risks) and humanitarian devel- ment, store medical supplies, and establish quarantine sites. opment nexus. In Myanmar, it helped to create an app that supports women in becoming community leaders during COVID-19. In Niger, In Rwanda, the UNCT is supporting the government to deliver it is working with ECA on COVID-19 socio-economic impact, on all areas outlined in the national Economic Recovery Plan and with the World Bank on private sector support to recovery. from the immediate fiscal and monetary stimulus packages In Madagascar, UNDP, UNICEF, the World Food Programme for agriculture, the private sector, infrastructure, technology and the World Bank are working with the Government to and innovation and mining, to the protection of vulnerable develop a social protection programme to support the households in urban and rural areas. In the area of social groups most at risk. A UNDP-led COVID-19 Rapid Response protection, the UN’s SERP includes initiatives to support vulnerable families including refugees. Facility enables UNDP teams to offer immediate assistance to countries for their national response. The Facility (briefly In Cambodia, the SERP anchors itself into Government’s vision described here) seeks to fast-track life-saving efforts on the of transforming Cambodia into a digital economy and plans ground, and to roll-out socio-economic response and recov- to accelerate the use of innovations using big data, forecast- ery strategies–from the procurement of critical protective ing, modelling and scenario building to achieve digital trans- equipment and medical supplies to the application of digi- formation. tal solutions such as e-health and e-government platforms As of 20 October 2020, 33 UNCTs covering 36 LDCs have to ensure business continuity. As of 16 June 2020, out of finalized their SERPs repurposing existing funding (onav- the 130 countries were benefiting from the USD 30 million erage US$41.8 million per UNCT) and mobilizing additional Facility, close to 80% were LDCs.

92 Also, in consistence with the need to build back better relevant to Africa on the pandemic. As such, it comprises expressed in the comprehensive response, UNDRR provides COVID-19 responses by each African LDC, country data (in- technical assistance to LDCs and other countries to integrate cluding specialized datasets on how COVID-19 has impact- epidemic and pandemic risks into multi-hazard disaster ed key areas of development on the continent), practices risk reduction strategies and common country analysis. It and experiences, knowledge products, and stories and blogs. also released a ‘Small Business Continuity and Recovery An outcome of the Interdepartmental Taskforce on African Planning Toolkit’ that seeks to help MSMEs on prevention, Affairs (IDTFAA) meetings convened by OSAA, the Hub in- mitigation and recovery from the pandemic. UNDRR and cludes the ECA reports ‘COVID-19 in Africa: Protecting Lives other UN and non-UN partners (including the IOM, UN and Economies’ and ‘COVID-19: Lockdown exit strategies Women, WHO, the International Recovery Platform, and for Africa.’ Both reports comprise data on African LDCs, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center) further developed provide recommendations. policy guidance briefs on DRR and COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation, which address the dual challenges of climate- Some AICG members have developed specific responses for related hazards and the pandemic. the LDCs that include assessing the impacts of COVID-19 on graduation of the LDC category. Examples are provided At the regional level, ESCAP developed a framework to sup- below for the CDP and its Secretariat (Box 44), and for EIF. port the socio-economic response of its 53 members and nine associate members to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Action has also been taken by IACG members to help the the aim to support efforts to build back better through inte- LDCs address the COVID-19 pandemic on various areas grated policy responses aligned with the SDGs. ESCAP also of the IPoA and the SDGs. Those include health, financing, released an online tool on ‘Policy Responses to COVID-19 in trade, STI and data, education, industrial support, food Asia and the Pacific’ which includes data on fiscal policies, security, nutrition and agriculture, tourism, human rights, monetary policies, SMEs, trade measures, and transport for and governance, anti-corruption and accountability, among all the Asia-Pacific LDCs. other sectors.

ECA hosts the Africa UN Knowledge Hub for COVID-19, that serves as a “one-stop-shop” on information and resources

Box 44. CDP and EIF responses on COVID-19 in LDCs

The CDP and its Secretariat released an online platform dedicated to the CDP responses on COVID-19 in the LDCs. The platform comprises: a statement on how the Committee intends to address COVID-19 impacts in its work on LDCs; daily updates on confirmed cases of COVID-19 and on testing in LDCs; and status reports on government responses in these countries. The platform also has an analysis section that includes a policy brief and CDP member articles on COVID-19 in the LDCs. The policy brief reviews some of the main health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on LDCs, and makes a series of policy recommendations. It calls on the international community to provide immediate support to LDCs to strengthen productive capacity and financial resources to obtain necessary health equipment. It highlights the importance of debt relief, and of increasing ODA to rapidly meet existing commitments. It also points to the need for policies that expand productive capacities to address the root causes of limited economic resilience, the lack of economic diversification and the failure to create decent and productive jobs. Furthermore, as mandated in ECOSOC resolution E/RES/2020/10, the CDP will undertake a comprehensive study on the impact of COVID-19 on the LDC category, including on graduating countries.

The EIF assesses and monitors the effects of the crisis on the LDCs, and offers the required support based on individual LDC needs. Assessment and monitoring efforts are guided by an EIF Business Continuity Plan, and a dedicated COVID 19 programme risk matrix. The EIF has also partnered with other organizations to: study the impacts of the crisis on LDC Graduation (EIF-WTO); undertake investment capacity building (EIF-WAIPA); and carry out COVID-19 impact assessments (EIF-ITC).

93 Health support through a dedicated, fast-track facility, and as of 15 A variety of measures have been made available by IACG June 2020, most LDCs had benefited from the Facility (the members to the health impacts of the pandemic in the LDCs. full list of LDCs that benefited from that support is available here). In April 2020, the World Bank Development Committee For example, working closely with partners to support and the G20 Finance Ministers endorsed the Debt Service COVID-19 response efforts, UNOPS is implementing over Suspension Initiative (DSSI). By early June 2020, more than USD 200 million worth of COVID-19 projects across LDCs half of all 72 IDA clients (and Angola) are from the LDC with a focus on strengthening health system capacity. This group and are proceeding with the moratorium. The IMF and includes the procurement of vital and medical equipment World Bank Group monitor the implementation of progress such as testing kits, respirators and personal protective to ensure transparency. The G20 welcomes participation of equipment (PPE) in countries such as Mali, Chad, Myanmar commercial creditors on comparable terms and in late May and Somalia; the implementation (on behalf of its partners) of the Institute of International Finance (IIF) presented its plan COVID-19 related support on procurement, cash assistance of action to the G20. The Multilateral Development Banks are and project management in Liberia, Togo, Somalia, Ethiopia, supporting these efforts by focusing on positive net inflows South Sudan and Afghanistan; and the construction and and providing greater finance to maximize finance needed to equipment of 33 health centres, and the channeling of social combat the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. protection payments to those in need in Myanmar. Also on debt management, the IMF approved in April 2020, UNOSSC conducted a mapping of responses and efforts the immediate debt service relief to 25 LDCs under the IMF’s of health authorities, mainly the Ministries of Health across revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) countries of the global South, to help mitigate the impact of as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact the COVID-19 pandemic. The interactive map, which cov- of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative provides grants to ers most of the LDCs, seeks to provide a dynamic repository cover countries’ IMF debt obligations for an initial phase of of efforts to address outbreaks and to enable countries to six months, with the aim to help them channel more financial access information quickly, compare practices, and learn from resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief one another through South-South knowledge exchanges. efforts. More on this initiative is detailed here. This support represents one of the many measures taken by the IMF to With the commitment to achieve better health for everyone, manage the economic and social fallout of COVID-19. everywhere, WHO took many steps to support countries, including the LDCs, in addressing the crisis. In addition to In order to discuss debt relief and possible solutions to ad- the issuance of its Strategic Preparedness and Response dress private debt, UN-OHRLLS convened–together with the Plan (briefly described earlier), the Organization issued Chairs of LLDCs, LDCs and SIDS–an ‘Ambassadorial Level Operational planning guidelines to help UN country teams Dialogue on Addressing Sovereign Debt Distress in LDCs, in supporting national governments to prepare for and re- LLDCs and SIDS in the Time of COVID-19.’ Participants ex- spond to COVID-19. WHO also published a very compre- plored measures necessary to head off a looming debt di- hensive online platform on COVID-19 that includes, among saster in the vulnerable countries stemming from the eco- other resources, advice for the public, COVID-19 situation nomic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. reports at the global level, global research on the virus, and a dashboard with information on the number of COVID-19 UNCDF helps LDCs in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis by confirmed cases and deaths per country for all the LDCs. focusing on stabilizing and building resilient local economies in LDCs through its three main areas of work, namely:

Finance i. Supporting digital innovations in areas such as digi- The World Bank Group committed to increase disease tal payments, education, contact tracing, and e-com- surveillance, improve public health interventions, and help merce (as illustrated in Box 45), and actively supporting the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs. The migrants to gain improved access to affordable remit- Group provides financing up to USD 160 billion over 15 months tances through digital solutions during the crisis. UNCDF tailored to the health, economic and social shocks countries also performs a key supporting role in a Member State- are facing, including USD 50 billion of IDA resources on grant led “Call to Action” to improve migrants’ access for and highly concessional terms. Countries are accessing sending and receiving remittances during COVID-19.

94 ii. Channeling finance to local governments for quick local Box 45. Providing support to e-commerce response and recovery: UNCDF has prepared a ‘Guid- to tackle the COVID-19 crisis in Uganda- ance Note for Immediate COVID-19 Response–Local UNCDF and partners

Government Finance’, that focuses on responses that UNCDF and the Swedish International Development Co- can be implemented rapidly, and can be adapted to in- operation Agency (SIDA) are partnering with SafeBoda, dividual circumstances. Based on this guidance, local the main ride-hailing company in Kampala (Uganda), governments are being supported in Bangladesh, Lao to help the company switch to an e-commerce busi- PDR, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda among others. ness model and ensure the delivery of essential goods iii. Providing targeted funds for SMEs to stabilize local and services to the local population. The project helps economies and accelerate recovery, including offer- 18.000 boda-boda drivers keep their jobs, 800 vendors ing relief to borrowers in UNCDF’s own loan and guar- to continue generate revenues during the lockdown and antee portfolio. In July 2020 UNCDF also launched a allows an average of 50 000 customers to be reached survey to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs daily with food and goods delivery. During this delivery, in LDCs, together with the International Chamber of information about the virus will be shared with custom- Commerce and a range of other partners. The survey ers, their households and families to combat the spread will serve as an important basis to help identify and of COVID-19. More details on this experience are pro- improve responses in support of critical SME needs vided here. in LDC markets.

Finally, in collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit, UNOPS published an essay examining the implications of the COVID-19 crisis, the opportunity it presents for rethinking procurement, and the renewed importance of effective and sustainable public spending. The essay includes examples from Zimbabwe and the Central African Republic as LDCs. Finally, the OECD prepared a country policy tracker with data on COVID-19 responses per country. The tracker, that covers several LDCs, includes a searchable database with information on containment measures, fiscal measures, and monetary policy and prudential regulations.

95 Food distribution in Shamva district, Zimbabwe. Photo: WFP / Tatenda Macheka, OCHA Trade Among several support measures implemented by ITC on The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 3% drop in global trade COVID-19, the Centre released a map that monitors tempo- values in the first quarter of 2020, and the downturn rary trade measures enacted by government authorities–for could accelerate in the second quarter, according to this most LDCs–in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, including publication from UNCTAD and other organizations. trade measures that aim to restrict exports, and liberalize imports of vital medical supplies. In support of MSMEs, ITC Several organizations have worked on interventions to sup- also developed a ‘15-point action plan’ for open economies port LDCs on trade during and after the pandemic. UNCTAD to support small businesses through the COVID-19 crisis and the five UN regional commissions launched a project to and towards the future.’ The plan includes recommendations help governments and businesses keep transport networks for businesses, business support organizations and govern- and borders operational, and facilitate the flow of goods and ments, and was disseminated to all LDCs. services, while containing the spread of the coronavirus. The project seeks to equip governments in developing countries Finally, the EIF provides information on the trade impacts of COVID-19 in the LDCs through a dedicated section available and LDCs to adapt to new post-COVID-19 conditions by tap- on its Trade for Development News platform. This section ping into UN expertise, standards, tools and guidance, while includes written pieces and online discussions addressed considering their specific and local conditions. The collabora- to the LDCs on topics such as food security, vulnerability, tive project is composed of three clusters, focused on: i) con- poverty, and graduation, among other issues. tactless solutions and good practices to reduce physical contact in cross-border supply chains by facilitating the flow of STI and data goods without spreading the virus; ii) maximizing connectivi- The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the ty and eliminating obstacles to cross-border trade and trans- digitalization of many businesses and services, including port operations as a result of COVID-19; and iii) addressing teleworking and video conferencing systems, access to collaborative solutions on transport, trade, and logistics op- healthcare, education and essential goods and services erations by strengthening regional and sectoral cooperation. (ITU, 2020). In this regard, the Broadband Commission for On its dedicated COVID-19 webpage, UNCTAD also issues Sustainable Development—founded by ITU and UNESCO— news, analysis and resources, examples of support on the adopted an emergency Agenda for Action on the COVID-19 ground, and technical cooperation products that can help crisis, which includes a call to promote universal, affordable countries, including LDCs, mitigate or recover from the im- broadband connectivity by mobilizing public and private pacts of COVID-19. Among other online resources available funding and investment, especially in LDCs. ITU also on that webpage, the report ‘How countries can leverage decided to host the Global Network Resiliency Platform trade facilitation to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic’ out- (#REG4COVID), where regulators, policy makers and other lines trade facilitation solutions, to defeat trade challenges interested stakeholders can share experiences and best imposed by the pandemic. It also presents country cases practices to cope with COVID-19 through the use of ICTs. The from some LDCs (Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagas- platform provides access to experiences and best practices car, Rwanda). from LDCs.

The WTO provides news and reports on: COVID-19 and Technologies are also key to deliver treatments and save the world trade; COVID-19 trade related measures; and lives. Thus, UNDP, UNCTAD, the WHO, and the Technology WTO members’ proposals on COVID-19. As part of these Bank for the Least Developed Countries launched the Tech resources, the Organization published, in June 2020, an Access Partnership (TAP) on 12 May 2020, as part of a information note on ‘The COVID-19 pandemic and trade- coordinated approach to strengthen developing countries’ related developments in LDCs’ that examines the effect of responses to COVID-19 and increase access to lifesaving the pandemic on LDC participation in global trade. The note health technologies. Hosted by the Technology Bank, TAP outlines a “significant decline in export earnings” among aims to supports developing countries to scale up local LDCs since the outbreak of COVID-19, and stresses the production of critical health technologies needed to combat need to support LDCs’ participation in global trade through COVID-19, including personal protective equipment, diagnos- providing debt relief and strengthening social sectors. tics and medical devices such as ventilators. It will facilitate

96 connections between experienced manufacturers and lo- have low connectivity levels, in partnership with Orange–a cal manufacturers in LDCs and other developing countries telecommunications company and a member of the Global to share key data, knowledge and other relevant support Education Coalition–UNESCO has provided free Internet ac- through a coordinated network. cess to certified e-learning platforms in LDCs such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Considering the importance of data and statistics to support effective decision-making during and after the crisis, 36 UNESCO also prepared a map that serves as a global mon- international organizations, including several organizations itoring of school closures caused by COVID-19 to provide from the UN system, joined forces to provide a statistical information on whether schools are open or closed in each perspective of how COVID-19 is affecting different aspects country (including LDCs) and within a country. The map in- of public and private life, from economic and environmental cludes data on the number of affected learners, with data fluctuations to changes that affect individuals in terms of disaggregated by gender and school type (pre-primary, income, education, employment and violence. Titled ‘How primary, secondary, tertiary education). The Organization COVID-19 is changing the world: a statistical perspective,’ further launched a repository of national learning platforms the report resulting from this work presents data on the and tools in use during the COVID-19 pandemic, with infor- economic, social, regional and statistical impacts of the mation for most LDCs. pandemic, including in LDCs, and provides a glimpse into the Finally, within the framework of its action for Global Priority challenges facing national statistical offices. The report was Africa, UNESCO launched a series of dedicated initiatives produced within the framework of the Committee for the in response to COVID-19 situation in Africa, including an Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA). online debate of intellectuals, change makers and cultural Finally, considering that intellectual property processes personalities to take stock of the sociocultural implications are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, WIPO issued the of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of societies on the COVID-19 IP Policy Tracker, an information repository that African continent. provides information on measures adopted by IP offices in response to the pandemic, such as the extension of deadlines, Industrial support and other legislative and regulatory measures. Information Considering that industry is affected by the COVID-19 crisis is available per country, and covers several LDCs. from both the supply and demand side, UNIDO launched the COVID-19 Industrial Recovery Programme (CIRP) to Education provide highly effective, targeted support to national govern- Per UNESCO, some 1 billion students and youth across the ments with the restructuring of their industrial sector. The planet are affected by school and university closures due to the programme seeks to help governments meet national needs COVID-19 outbreak. The organization notes that investment in the COVID-19 recovery phase. It offers a phased approach in remote learning should mitigate the immediate disruption to industrial recovery that is primarily focused on support- caused by COVID-19, and should establish approaches to ing LDCs, low income countries and lower middle- income develop more open and flexible education systems for the countries. future. The CIRP is part of the third step of UNIDO’s COVID-19 Hence, as part of its COVID-19 response, UNESCO under- response framework on “recover and transform.” The two took several initiatives, including the launch of the Global other steps of that framework are “prepare and contain,” and Education Coalition to support countries in scaling up their “respond and adapt,” and include support to LDCs. best distance learning practices and reaching children and youth who are most at risk. Through the Global Education Food security, nutrition and agriculture Coalition’s Gender Flagship, UNESCO is targeting 20 coun- While one third of food produced is wasted today, some tries (most of them LDCs20) with the greatest gender dispari- 820 million people suffer from hunger, of whom more than ties in education. In order to reach out to the countries which 100 million are already in food crisis. COVID-19 has added

20 Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Togo, and Yemen.

97 another layer of complexity to the state of agri-food systems, Tourism and measures to contain the pandemic threaten to disrupt The COVID-19 outbreak has brought the world to a standstill, supply chains and bring about an increase in food insecurity. and tourism has been the worst affected of all major economic sectors (UNWTO, 2020). In this context, the FAO aims to ensure that agriculture and food systems continue to function (and where possible im- To support LDCs and other countries on tourism, UNWTO prove), and to provide for the continued availability of food has developed a COVID-19 Tourism Recovery Technical while safeguarding nutrition and sustaining livelihoods. Its Assistance Package that is structured around three main response to COVID-19 encompasses the various aspects pillars: i) economic recovery; ii) marketing and promotion; of the pandemic and focuses on: i) trade, including intra- and iii) institutional strengthening and building resilience. regional trade and food safety standards; ii) poverty reduc- The package includes a comprehensive list of technical tion, economic inclusion and social protection; iii) preventing assistance activities that UNWTO can provide for the short-, pandemics of animal origin through an extended one health mid- and long-term. approach; iv) boosting the resilience of smallholders for COVID-19 recovery; v) data, information and analysis; vi) food As tourism is the backbone of many developing world systems transformation; and vii) a humanitarian response on economies, UNWTO together with the EIF, also assessed addressing the impacts of COVID-19 in food crisis contexts. how the sector has been affected by COVID-19, how LDCs can recover from the crisis, and what lessons can be taken Through this comprehensive approach, the FAO seeks to from the past. Information on this assessment in available help LDCs and other countries address new and emerging here. UNWTO further released a global tourism dashboard challenges posed by COVID-19 from the food security, on “International tourism and COVID-19” that includes key nutrition and resilient food systems perspective. It also performance indicators for inbound and outbound tourism seeks to help these countries plan for recovery and build at the global, regional and national levels. Information is back better. available for all LDCs, and is searchable per country or country grouping (including the LDC as a group). The FAO further developed an online platform on COVID-19 that highlights policy tools to support policy analyses and Also, the ILO released, on its website, a note on ‘COVID-19 assess the impact of the pandemic on food and agriculture, and employment in the tourism sector: Impact and response value chains, food prices, food security across the globe. in Asia and the Pacific.’ The note offers the ILO’s preliminary Those tools are categorized into urgent policy measures assessment on possible impacts of COVID-19 on employ- (current countries’ responses to the COVID-19’s impact on ment in the tourism sector of the Asia-Pacific region, and food systems), policy responses, policy briefs, food policy proposes a range of policy options to mitigate these impacts. warnings, big data, and crop calendars. The “urgent policy It comprises data on several LDCs (including Bangladesh, measures” link to the Food And Agriculture Policy Decision Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu). Analysis Tool (FAPDA) that provides up-to-date information on national policy decisions and policy frameworks adopted Human rights by countries, including many LDCs, in response to the As noted in the UN report on ‘COVID-19 and Human Rights,’ pandemic. extraordinary measures taken by countries to address the COVID-19 pandemic such as extensive lockdowns, restrict Moreover, in its role of supporting the LDCs, UN-OHRLLS freedom of movement and freedom to enjoy many other joined the FAO to present the most recent data and analysis human rights. These measures can inadvertently affect on hunger, food security and malnutrition in the LDCs, LLDCs people’s livelihoods and security, their access to health care, and SIDS during a webinar on Transforming Food Systems food, water and sanitation, work, and education, just to name Hand-in-Hand to Deliver Healthy Diets in LDCs, LLDCs, and a few. SIDS. The webinar was a follow-up to an online meeting that took place in May 2020 to discuss the impact of COVID-19 In order to help countries mitigate the unintended conse- on food systems and identify urgent and coordinated actions quences of the pandemic, OHCHR prepared a COVID-19 to avoid the most disruptive consequences. Guidance on dozens of topics, including some that are

98 particularly relevant to LDCs, such as: youth; social and emergency measures, several countries have relaxed safe- economic impacts; international cooperation and solidarity; guards by trading compliance, oversight and accountability and unilateral coercive measures. OHCHR also developed for speed of response, thus leading to the creation of signif- country-specific infographics identifying recommendations icant opportunities for corruption. by Human Right Mechanisms to respond to the pandem- In order to help LDCs and other countries address this issue, ic. These infographics have been prepared for Bangladesh, UNODC published a guidance note on ‘Accountability and Benin, Ethiopia, Guinea, Myanmar and Sierra Leone. the prevention of corruption in the allocation of emergency OHCHR further contributed to the preparation of the joint economic rescue packages in the context and aftermath of report of the UN Secretary-General and of the High Com- the COVID-19 pandemic.’ The note outlines immediate and missioner for Human Rights on the right to development (A/ longer-term recommendations to increase accountability HRC/45/2121). The report–which will serve as a contribution and reduce corruption risks in Member States, including to LDC5–discusses OHCHR’s activities on the promotion the LDCs. The Organization also released, on its ‘COVID-19 and realization of the right to development, and on guiding Response’ webpage, a series of news, research and policy States’ responses to the effects of the COVID-19 pandem- briefs on COVID-19 and a wide range of issues under the ic. It covers Uganda, Guinea and Bangladesh, among other Office’s mandate including drug prevention, treatment and countries. The report also provides an analysis of the imple- care, access to justice, and crime (including organized crime mentation of the right to development in LDCs, taking into and forms of crime that seek to exploit the pandemic, such account challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and as cybercrime, and corruption). makes recommendations on how to overcome them. In addition, the IMF is working with its members to meet their Considering that the 43rd session of the Human Rights need for emergency financing while helping them to ad- Council had to be suspended because of COVID-19, the dress governance and corruption vulnerabilities. The Fund Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to support the has asked member countries requesting emergency assis- participation of LDCs and SIDS in the work of the Council tance to commit to: undertaking and publishing independent organized its first-ever virtual induction course in May 2020. ex-post audits of crisis-related spending; and publishing The 30-hour course focused on the Human Rights Council crisis-related procurement contracts on their government’s and its mechanisms for delegates selected to attend the website, including identifying the companies awarded the 44th session of the Council. It proved to be extremely useful contract and their beneficial owners. The IMF also ensures to complement the in-person induction and mandatory that emergency resources are subject to the Safeguards e-learning tool developed by the Trust Fund. Assessments Policy. These assessments provide reason- able assurance to the IMF that a central bank’s framework of Finally, OHCHR launched a dedicated webpage on COVID-19 governance, reporting, and controls is adequate to manage and its human rights dimensions. It promoted feature sto- resources, including IMF disbursements. ries related to COVID-19 from human rights defenders in different LDCs, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights It was reported, however, that there is willingness to find issued calls for international solidarity in responding to the new ways of combining efforts across AFPs, as illustrated pandemic, in particular with African countries (examples are in Box 44. provided here and here). Insufficient capacity in governmental entities and structures is a constraints faced by most LDCs. Capacity gaps relate Governance, anti-corruption and accountability to several areas of governments’ planning, decision-making To avoid a global economic collapse due to COVID-19, many and monitoring functions, such as budgeting; data collec- governments have adopted emergency measures to provide tion and analysis; coordinating action among governmental an economic safety net for citizens and businesses, includ- actors, donors and UN agencies; and mobilizing resources. ing through direct cash disbursements, forgivable loans and Strengthened capacity is also needed in sectors such as re- deferment of payments, unemployment insurance and oth- newable energy, negotiating trade agreements, and handling er measures. According to UNODC (2020), through these debt issues at the national level.

21 This report is expected to be published in August 2020.

99 With Madagascar’s health system under strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, the wellbeing of the Malagasy people are increasingly at risk. Photo: Henitsoa Rafalia / World Bank

COVID-19, conflicts, inequality and climate change faces challenges in providing basic services and in building The current COVID-19 pandemic increases LDCs’ socio- resilience and recovery. In cases where conflict leads to in- economic vulnerability, affects their resilience capabilities, ternal and international displacements, including of refugees, and threatens to undo their progress achieved towards and its porous borders increases the risk of illegal trafficking. sustainable development over the past decades. Among many other impacts, the pandemic risks to overwhelm Continued inequality (at the social, economic, and geograph- the health systems, cause food shortages, affect sectors ic levels), combined with discrimination, and the perpetua- such as tourism and agriculture, create loss of jobs and tion of harmful practices are key challenges in some LDCs. income, push more people into poverty, and divert focus Even if the economy grows in the country, these challenges and resources from national development priorities towards persist and create little hope to go beyond the informal job, containing the spread of the pandemic. daily-wage employment, without any form of social protection. This further exacerbates deep inequality, with the vast Conflict, combined with a dire humanitarian situation in majority of the population remaining in poverty. many fragile LDCs, pose serious challenges for SDG coordination and implementation on the ground. In one LDC, for ex- Finally, climate change, and the lack of adaptation, affect ample, conflict has destroyed or weakened most of the local progress on many SDG areas, including agriculture, disaster institutions and governmental structures, making it difficult risk reduction, and water availability. to identify entry points to advance the Goals. Combined with a slow implementation of the peace process, the country

100 7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This report builds on the work of UN system and other in- The information presented in the preceding sections, ternational organizations to identify measures to advance collected through the consultation with the members of the sustainable development and promote the achievement of Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the Programme of Action the goals of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) in the for the LDCs and with the Resident Coordinators in the LDCs, LDCs. The report is not intended to be a formal evaluation, serves as the basis of the following recommendations: but instead brings together the measures of support offered to the LDCs by the UN system and other international organi- Recognition of the LDC status in UN system institutional zations, and identifies practices that resulted in positive out- arrangements for enhanced impact on the ground comes. The report will contribute to the preparatory process The LDCs, as the most vulnerable group of countries22, require for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the LDCs (LDC5). special support to overcome their structural constraints, withstand economic, climate, health, or natural shocks, and The responses collected in this study show that the UN sys- promote sustainable development. Since the establishment tem provides support across all priorities of the IPoA. How- of the category of LDCs in 1971, their special needs different ever, some areas have received more attention, like gender from those of other developing countries, have justified equality and women’s empowerment, youth development, the existence of specific support measured to reduce, and good governance, and domestic resource mobilization. eventually eliminate, the substantial gap between the LDCs Several UN initiatives make linkages with the SDGs to help and the rest of the world. The UN recognized that the LDCs countries make progress towards the Goals. The report would not automatically benefit from general programmes notes the cross-sectoral nature of several interventions, addressed to support developing countries and that special which is in line with the aspirations set for the Decade of supplementary measures were necessary to help overcome Action to deliver the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. the disadvantages limiting the ability of the LDCs to develop The report provides an overview of the institutional mecha- sustainably. nisms to support the LDCs in the UN system. These include Addressing the persistent structural development challeng- the organizational structure (e.g., Division, Section), LDC es underlying the high vulnerability and low human develop- focal points, support committees or working groups, and ment of the LDCs is critical for the success of the work of the programmes and funds with a specific mandate to focus on UN and the rest of the multilateral system in the LDCs. Their the LDCs (e.g., EIF, UNCDF, CFC). Some organizations have special needs should be mainstreamed into strategic plans a clear focus on the LDCs in their strategic planning docu- and integrated into the annual work programmes of the ments, which translates into a clear mandate to articulate UN system and other international organizations, in accor- programmes and projects targeting the LDCs. dance with their respective mandates. Greater engagement Limited coherence is an area were further improvement of OHRLLS with the UN Sustainable Development Group could help the UN being more effective on the ground. The would facilitate the articulation of the priorities of the LDCs consultation with UN Resident Coordinators highlighted the in the work at the UN and promote the mainstreaming of a importance of greater coordination within the UN system, new Programme of Action by its members. Enhanced coor- within departments and ministries at the national level, and dination and coherence by UN system agencies could also between the UN and the LDCs they support. Many Resident benefit from synergies between the work of the Inter-Agen- Coordinators highlighted difficulties to access accurate cy Consultative Group on the Programme of Action for the and reliable statistical data at the country level. Inadequate LDCs, led by OHRLLS, and the United Nations System Chief technical and financial support remains, as attested by Executive Board. OHRLLS could facilitate the provision of several interviewees, a crippling constraint for the UN and technical inputs from the Inter-Agency Consultative Group the LDCs to advance internationally agreed development to the thematic deliberations of the UN System Chief Execu- goals, including the IPoA and the SDGs. tives Board for Coordination.

22 E/RES/2019/3

101 As stated by Member States23, the United Nations System Enhanced coherence and coordination within and Chief Executives Board for Coordination and the High-level between organizations of the UN system Committee on Programmes could foster coordination and The 2030 Agenda emphasizes the need to address the SDGs follow-up of the Programme of Action on a system-wide in an integrated and unified manner, and the IPoA calls for basis and include the implementation of the Programme of the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the Action in the agenda of the Board, as recommended by the UN system to facilitate coordinated implementation and UN General-Assembly . coherence in the follow-up and monitoring of the Programme of Action. At the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review in 2016, the UN General Assembly expressed its concern at the Many joint activities in this report illustrate the efforts made decline in the share of expenditures for operational activities by UN entities to work more coherently, although there 24 for development of the UN system in the LDCs . The latest is scope to increase coordination. Some organizations data shows a slight increase from 46% to 48% in 2018, indicated that support to LDCs often follows a “work in silo” although most of the increase is related to a higher share in pattern within and between organizations. The UN Resident humanitarian support to LDCs. Only 44% of all expenditure Coordinators consulted also noted a lack of vertical and on development activities was in LDCs. horizontal coordination within the UN system to support the LDCs. Lack of coordination between UN system entities and More than half of the organizations that contributed to this other related organizations is burdensome for LDCs, which, report echoed concern for limited funding, noting that lack often, have insufficient human resources and capacity. of resources to support the LDCs hindered action on the Joint programming and better coordination produce more ground. The shortage of resources to the LDCs, including effective results and accelerate progress in areas crucial for to fund SDG implementation, is also identified as a serious the sustainable development of the LDCs. challenge by the UN Resident Coordinators consulted for this report. The Inter-Agency Consultative Group on the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the LDCs, the Inter- A dedicated focus on LDCs, embedded in the institutional Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation, the UN Sustainable arrangement of entities, can help to enhance the level of Development Group, and the strengthened support provided support, including allocation of resources based on the LDC by the reinvigorated UN resident coordinator system offer a criteria. Addressing the specific structural constraints faced good basis to improve coherence, better coordination, and by the LDCs would also contribute to design more effec- higher impact on the ground. These mechanisms strengthen tive and impactful programmes and it would be consistent the linkages between global policy discussions and priorities with the reiterated calls by Member States to address the and concrete action at the country level. special needs of the LDCs. For countries still far from meeting the criteria for graduation, a dedicated focus can help OHRLLS should work together with the UN Resident Coor- them progress in those areas that are preventing them to dinators in the LDCs, and in collaboration with relevant UN make progress towards successful development outcomes entities and other international organizations, to assist them and, thus, foster progress towards meeting the criteria for in the mainstreaming of the Programme of Action into de- graduation. A joint response to accelerate progress in the velopment planning at the country level in a coordinated and countries lagging, with the support of all relevant parts of the cohesive manner. UN system, including UN-OHRLLS, could help in mobilizing resources and expertise in support of the LDCs. The implementation of the Programme of Action, and the SDGs, in the LDCs will undoubtedly benefit from a stronger engagement between Headquarters and the regional and country levels. The network of National Focal Points of the IPoA established by UN-OHRLLS shows the potential that

23 A/RES/74/232 24 Quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system (A/RES/71/243).

102 the expertise and knowledge from the ground can have Regular reporting and assessment of the work of the UN in fostering a better understanding of the needs and in support of the LDCs challenges faced by the LDCs. It also facilitates an important Transparency on budgetary allocations to the LDCs by the vehicle to ensure that the entire chain of UN and government UN development system level should be improved as a basis stakeholders, from the global to the country level, participate to assess the effectiveness of UN support for LDCs. It is diffi- in the integration of the Programme of Action at the national cult to obtain information about budgetary or disaggregated policy level. The LDC National Focal Point system should programme support on the work of the UN in the LDCs and, be strengthened as one of the vehicles to foster better when available, it is not always clear whether allocations are coordination between the global, regional and country levels. part of core or non-core resources25. The availability of reliable information would help to address gaps in UN system Established in 2017 by OHRLLS, the Inter-Agency Task Force support across thematic and geographic areas and identify on LDC Graduation has facilitated a joint UN response to the constraints, leading to greater efficiency of the UN on the needs of graduating country governments and of the UN ground. Country Team on the ground. One of the main challenges

identified by the Resident Coordinators in this respect lies A regular and systematic assessment of resources, strate- in UN support’s fragmentary approach, which has led to un- gic plans, programmes and activities in support of the LDCs necessary duplication of efforts. Too many missions coming would constitute a powerful instrument for citizens and poli- from Headquarters, at times one after another and often of cymakers to learn about the work of the UN in the LDCs. Fur- similar nature, create an unnecessary additional burden to thermore, regular and more structured reporting on the work UN Country Teams and stretches the already limited capaci- of the UN in the LDCs would respond to the request by Mem- ty of LDC governments. ber States to increase support to the most vulnerable and help achieve greater coherence. Such assessment could be To promote a better coordinated and cohesive response, the carried out on a regular basis and use the Inter-Agency Con- Inter-Agency Task Force has, since its establishment, strived sultative Group on the Programme of Action for the LDCs to bring to the same table all UN and other entities involved and the Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation. Such in graduation support with a view to formulate a common regular and systematic assessment would assist the UN work programme of assistance for on demand support to Secretary General in providing relevant and timely informa- smooth transition strategies. Facilitating a coordinated re- tion to Member States in connection with the work of the UN sponse for all graduating countries will require heightened and other relevant international organizations organizations attention and more resources to provide timely and effective in the LDCs. support from all parts of the UN and relevant organizations

to all countries. Better and more coherent support will be OHRLLS should also facilitate the dissemination, and the crucial to leverage graduation as a decisive milestone in the regular and systematic assessment, of the United Nations in sustainable development path of the LDCs. As Chair of the the LDCs through an accessible online website searchable Inter-Agency Task Force on LDC Graduation, UN-OHRLLS, in by agency, priority area and other relevant criteria. close collaboration with Resident Coordinators and relevant UN agencies, should continue to facilitate the articulation of a joint programme of work to ensure that all countries in the process of graduating from the category of LDCs receive appropriate support.

25 While the questionnaire used for this report contained a specific question on this subject, only 12 (out of 46) organizations noted they allocated funding to the LDCs either as part of their core funding, non-core funding, or both.

103 ANNEX 1: LIST OF LDCs

1. Afghanistan 25. Malawi 2. Angola (will graduate on 12 February 2021) 26. Mali 3. Bangladesh 27. Mauritania 4. Benin 28. Mozambique 5. Bhutan (will graduate on 13 December 2023) 29. Myanmar 6. Burkina Faso 30. Nepal 7. Burundi 31. Niger 8. Cambodia 32. Rwanda 9. Central African Republic 33. Sao Tome and Principe (will graduate on 13 December 2024) 10. Chad 34. Senegal 11. Comoros 35. Sierra Leone 12. Democratic Republic of Congo 36. Solomon Islands (will graduate on 13 December 2024) 13. Djibouti 37. Somalia 14. Eritrea 38. South-Sudan 15. Ethiopia 39. Sudan 16. The Gambia 40. Timor-Leste 17. Guinea 41. Togo 18. Guinea-Bissau 42. Tuvalu 19. Haiti 43. Uganda 20. Kiribati 44. United Republic of Tanzania 21. Lao People’s Democratic Republic 45. Vanuatu (graduated on 4 December 2020) 22. Lesotho 46. Yemen 23. Liberia 47. Zambia 24. Madagascar

104 ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIRE DISSEMINATED TO UN SYSTEM

Best Practices on United Nations Support to the Least Developed Countries–Questionnaire for UN System Entities

Context and objective

As the decade of the implementation of the Programme of Action LDCs are a group of 47 countries char- for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (Istanbul Programme of acterized by their low social economic Action–IPoA) is approaching its final year, preparations have started development and vulnerability to exter- for a new LDC programme of action that is expected to be adopted nal shocks. More information on these during the Fifth United Nations (UN) Conference on the LDCs (LDC5 countries is provided here. Conference) in Doha from 21 to 25 March 2021.

As part of these preparations, the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)26 is undertaking the task to provide an overview of the work carried out by the UN The 2011–2020 IPoA charts out the system in the LDCs–taking into account the IPoA with a view to international community’s vision and identify best practices. strategy for the sustainable devel- The information collected through this exercise will be consolidated opment of LDCs, and articulates the into a report that will facilitate a better understanding of the work LDCs’ priorities and the policy measures of the UN system across the LDCs in the lead up to LDC5. It will needed to address their unique vulner- also serve as an input to the UN Secretary-General’s high-level abilities and reverse their marginal- event that will take place during the LDC5 Conference to ensure ization from the world economy. The the full mobilization of the UN system in support of the LDCs27. The Programme of Action represents the information gathered will further inform the High-Level Committee enhanced commitments of the LDCs on Programmes (HLCP) of the UN System Chief Executives Board and their development partners, to a for Coordination (CEB), in its efforts to support coordination and renewed and strengthened global part- follow-up in the IPoA’s implementation on a system-wide basis28. nership.

26 Among other functions, UN-OHRLLS assists the UN Secretary-General in ensuring the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the UN system, with a view to facilitating the coordinated implementation of and coherence in the follow-up and monitoring of the IPoA. 27 Pursuant to draft UN General Assembly resolution A/C.2/74/L.54, paragraph 50. 28 As called by UN General Assembly resolutions 67/220 and 68/224.

105 Scope of the Questionnaire The importance of UN support to LDCs has been highlighted several times by In order to accurately reflect UN system’s efforts in supporting UN Member States. For example, in the LDCs, UN-OHRLLS has developed this questionnaire on ‘Best its resolution 71/243, the UN General practices on UN support to the LDCs.’ Assembly urges the UN development The questionnaire complements and seeks to update information system to continue to enhance its sup- gathered within the UN-OHRLLS Mainstreaming Toolkit that was port for the implementation of the IPoA ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX prepared ahead of the Comprehensive High-Level Midterm Review and of the 2016 Political Declaration of the IPoA in Antalya (Turkey) in 2016, and submitted to the HLCP. of the Comprehensive High-level Mid- term Review of the IPoA. Through var- Part 1 of the questionnaire covers the priority areas of the IPoA, namely: ious resolutions29, UN Member States • Productive capacity also urge the UN development system • Agriculture, food security and rural development to continue to prioritize allocations to • Trade LDCs, while reaffirming that the LDCs, as the most vulnerable group of coun- • Commodities tries, need enhanced support to over- • Human and social development come structural challenges that they • Multiple crises and other emerging challenges mobilizing face in implementing the 2030 Agenda financial resources for development and capacity-building for Sustainable Development. • Good governance at all levels

Part 2 comprises questions that cut across areas, including on institutional arrangements taken by UN entities to support the LDCs.

In the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, adopted during the eight UNIDO Minis- terial Conference of the LDCs in Novem- ber 2019, LDC Ministers and/or Heads of Delegation committed to gain from the lessons learned and replicate best practices from the IPoA, and from the first five years for SDGs implementation in LDCs and other countries to prepare the way for the new programme of action for LDCs.

29 For instance, ECOSOC resolution 2018/26, and UN General Assembly resolution 71/243.

106 Elements to take into account when completing the questionnaire

• Although the questionnaire is aligned with the IPoA—that covers the period 2011–2020, responses should focus, if possible, on the work carried out by UN entities over the past five years (since the IPoA Midterm Review in 2016).

• When completing the questionnaire, UN entities might not be able to answer all the questions, but should pay particular attention to questions that are relevant for their domain of expertise. ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX • A four-point scale is being used for some questions to better understand the level of support provided by UN entities. The scale can be understood as follows: - Yes (support has been provided to the LDCs) - No (no support has been or will be provided to the LDCs) - Not yet but in planning stage (no support has been provided yet, but there are ongoing plans to provide support in the future) - Not applicable (for instance, supporting this area of work is not part of the UN entity’s mandate)

• Respondents should limit their responses to the questionnaire to a maximum of 400 words. However, additional documents that support responses provided in the questionnaire, or that outline information on the impact of the organization’s support to the LDCs (such as evaluation reports) can also be provided separately, if relevant.

Focus on best practices

This questionnaire puts an emphasis on best practices, so as to highlight ways by which the UN system could best support the LDCs in the next decade.

Best practices are understood as success stories that have contributed to advance LDC progress. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Activities and programmes that could be replicated, are scalable and could apply across various LDCs

• Activities and projects that have contributed to concrete changes on the ground in line with the priorities of the IPoA or even more broadly in relation to SDGs

• Successful joint programmes carried out in partnership with other UN or non-UN organizations

107 QUESTIONNAIRE

PART 1: Questions related to the IPoA’s priority areas for action

i) Productive capacity ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX LDCs’ economies feature limited productive capacities, which constrain their ability to produce efficiently and effectively and to diversify their economies. This handicap translates into binding supply constraints and ultimately into weak export and economic potentials and limited productive employment generation and social development prospects. Building a critical mass of viable and competitive productive capacity in agriculture, manufacturing and services is essential for LDCs to benefit from greater integration into the global economy, increase resilience to shocks, sustain inclusive and equitable growth as well as poverty eradication, achieve structural transformation, and generate full and productive employment and decent work for all. (IPoA, paragraphs 44)

1. Does your organization provide support to enhance LDCs’ productive capacity on:

a. Infrastructure

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDC productive capacity in the infrastructure sector, if relevant. Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that aim to increase combined rail and paved road mileage and sea and air networks in LDCs.

b. Energy

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDC productive capacity in the energy sector, if relevant. Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that aim to: increase total primary energy supply per capita to the same level as other developing countries; significantly increase the share of electricity generation through renewable energy sources; and enhance capacities in energy production, trade and distribution.

108 c. Science, technology and innovation (STI)

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDC productive capacity in the STI sector, if 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX relevant. Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that aim to significantly increase access to telecommunication services.

d. Private sector development

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting private sector development, if relevant. Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that diversify local productive and export capability, or that bring added value in natural resource-based industries and generate employment.

109 ii) Agriculture, food security and rural development

The agriculture sector, which plays a crucial role in almost all LDCs, both in promoting food security and as the major economic activity for much of the population, faces huge challenges. These stem from a lack of adequate investment in physical infrastructure, scientific and technological development, research and agricultural extensions services, as well as from the adverse impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, desertification, and other challenges. Investments are required in regional and national agricultural and fishery research and rural

infrastructure, extension of better farming and fishing practices and innovative and sustainable technologies, as 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX well as marketing advice, structured and effective finance and greater tenure security, including access to and control over land by female farmers irrespective of their marital status. (IPoA, paragraphs 56, 57, 58)

2. Does your organization provide support to LDCs to help them:

a. Make progress towards eradicating hunger by 2020?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

b. Increase investment in rural infrastructure?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

c. Ensure access to safe food and emergency food assistance?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress toward these IPoA’s goals, if relevant. Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives to achieve food security and sustainable agricultural development, or that seek to address hunger and malnutrition.

110 iii) Trade

Trade has an important role in ensuring LDCs’ sustainable economic development. It is essential to seriously work towards creating favorable market access conditions for all products originating in LDCs, including through the reduction or elimination of arbitrary or unjustified non-tariff barriers and other trade-distorting measures. Regional cooperation, including through regional trade integration and other arrangements, can facilitate LDCs’ development and their beneficial integration into the world economy by, inter alia, increasing the size of markets, improving their

competitiveness and enhancing regional connectivity. (IPoA, paragraphs 61, 63, 64) 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

3. Does your organization provide support to LDCs in order to meet the IPoA’s goal of significantly increasing the share of LDCs’ trade in global trade (with the aim of doubling the share of LDCs’ exports in global exports by 2020)?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress toward this goal, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of LDCs’ economies, or efforts to strengthen LDCs’ human, institutional and regulatory capacities in trade policy and trade negotiations.

111 iv) Commodities

Many LDCs remain commodity-dependent, with a significant number relying primarily on agriculture or on the extraction of very few natural resources and primary products for export. This makes LDCs vulnerable to external trade shocks owing to volatility of commodity prices, which also impacts domestic resource mobilization. There is a need for concerted measures and actions to support LDCs’ efforts to reduce commodity dependence, including through the diversification of their export base, and to mitigate and reduce the adverse effects of commodity price

volatility. (IPoA, paragraph 67) 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

4. Does your organization support LDCs in reducing their dependence to commodities? (for example, by helping them broaden their economic base)?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress toward this goal, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that aim to strengthen LDCs’ capacity to: manage their natural resources, including minerals, energy and agriculture; diversify their commodity base; or better mitigate and manage the risks associated with the volatility of commodity prices.

112 v) Human and social development

LDCs’ greatest assets are their women, men and children, whose potential as both agents and beneficiaries of development must be fully realized. LDCs face serious economic, human and social development challenges, and will continue to face the significant burden of poverty in coming years unless concrete steps are taken to tackle its root causes in a sustainable way, including by building productive and human capacity. Poverty and hunger are multidimensional problems that pose serious constraints to LDCs’ efforts to make progress in human and social

development owing to inability to access essential services such as education, health, water and sanitation and to 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX access productive resources to participate in social, economic and political life and benefit from economic growth. (IPoA, paragraphs 70, 71).

5. Does your organization support LDCs in improving their human and social development, for any of the following areas?

a. Education and training

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on education and training, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions to: ensure universal access to free primary education; increase the quality of education and training; and eliminate gender disparities in education and training.

b. Population and primary health

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on population and primary health, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions towards: ensuring universal access to reproductive health; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; and combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

113 c. Youth development

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on youth development, if relevant. 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

Best practices could include, for instance, actions towards: ensuring the full and effective participation of youth in decision-making processes and in the economy; and achieving full and productive employment and decent work.

d. Housing (shelter)

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on housing, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions towards: increasing access to affordable housing, land and housing-related infrastructure and basic services; and improving the lives of slum-dwellers and rural poor.

e. Water and sanitation

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on water and sanitation, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation to communities in LDCs.

114 f. Gender equality and empowerment of women

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on gender equality and empow- 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX erment of women, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions to: achieve equal access of women and girls to education, basic services, health care, economic opportunities, and decision-making at all levels; and promote women’s rights and gender equality, including women with disabilities.

g. Social protection

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on social protection, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions to enhance social protection systems to improve the resilience of all, including poor and disadvantaged groups.

115 vi) Multiple crises and other emerging challenges

LDCs continue to be vulnerable to a variety of shocks, including food, fuel, financial and economic crises, and natural disasters, and have to confront challenges posed by climate change and some by conflicts that have eroded some of the development gains they made in the past. Securing equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in LDCs requires building their resilience to withstand crises and emerging challenges and the impact of climate change. (IPoA, paragraph 94). ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

6. Does your organization support LDCs in:

a. Building their resilience to withstand economic shocks and to mitigate their adverse effects?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

b. Strengthening their ability to enhance sustainable growth and protect biodiversity?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

c. Strengthening their ability to be resilient, withstand and/or overcome the adverse effects of climate change or other natural hazards to reduce the risks of disasters?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress toward the IPoA’s goals outlined above, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that support: LDCs’ risk mitigation strategies to strengthen their capacity to respond to the effects of economic shocks; LDCs’ efforts to implement national strategies for sustainable use, preservation and protection of the national environmental resources; or LDCs’ disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and post-disaster reconstruction efforts.

116 vii) Mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity-building

The lack of financial resources is one of the biggest constraints facing LDCs to achieving sustained, inclusive and equitable growth and sustainable development and progress towards graduation. The low levels of per capita income, domestic savings and investment and a small tax base limit domestic resources. There is therefore a high reliance on external financial resources, including official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment, concessional lending and private flows such as remittances. (IPoA, paragraph 109). ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

7. Does your organization support LDCs on increasing LDCs’ access to financial resources, in particular on:

a. Domestic resource mobilization

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs in this area, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, actions to enhance the mobilization of domestic resources, including by strengthening institutional capacity.

b. Official development assistance (ODA)

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs in this area, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, efforts to ensure the fulfilment of ODA commitments to LDCs; and initiatives to ensure the alignment of aid with LDCs’ national priorities, systems and procedures.

117 c. External debt

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs in this area, if relevant. ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives to help LDCs achieve sustainable debt levels; and initiatives that contribute to specific debt relief measures for LDCs that are not Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), on a case-by-case basis.

d. Foreign direct investment (FDI)

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs in this area, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that contribute to attract and retain FDI investment in LDCs, especially with the aim of diversifying the production base and enhancing productive capacity.

e. Remittances

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs in this area, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that contribute to reduce the transaction cost of remittance flows and foster the development impact of remittances.

118 viii) Good governance at all levels

Good governance and the rule of law at the local, national and international levels are essential for sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger. They are also essential for the achievement of the commitments embodied in the IPoA. Sustainable development in LDCs is closely linked to peace and security. Conflict-affected LDCs require context- specific approaches to address poverty, security and governance in an integrated manner. (IPoA, paragraphs 126, 128) ANNEX 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

8. Does your organization support LDCs in promoting good governance in LDCs?

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

Please describe your organization’s best practices in supporting LDCs’ progress on good governance, if relevant.

Best practices could include, for instance, initiatives that helped strengthen the rule of law, prevent corruption, increase transparency of budgets and expenditure, enhance the role of parliaments, and facilitate the participation of LDCs in relevant international forums.

119 PART 2: Questions related to cross-cutting issues

The IPoA (paragraph 153) invites the governing bodies of the UN funds and programmes and other multilateral organizations, including the Bretton Woods institutions and international financial institutions, to contribute to the implementation of the IPoA and to integrate it into their work programmes, as appropriate and in accordance with their respective mandates. The IPoA (paragraph 33) further calls on development partners to implement their part of the programme of action by integrating it into their respective cooperation policy frameworks, programmes and activities, as appropriate, to ensure enhanced, predictable and targeted support to LDCs. 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

Institutional mechanisms

9a. Does your organization have a specific institutional mechanism in place to support the LDCs? This could include, for example, a division or unit on the LDCs, LDC focal points, or a sub-committee on the LDCs.

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

9b. Please detail which mechanism(s) is/are in place, if relevant.

Policy alignment

10a. Has your organization aligned its policies, strategies, plans or programmes with the IPoA? This could take the form, for example, of a strategic plan, of an operational strategy on the LDCs, or of a decision from the Executive Board.

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why)

10b. Please provide details on this alignment, if relevant.

120 Budgetary allocation

11a. Does your organization have a specific budgetary allocation related to LDC support? .

Yes No Not yet but in planning stage

Not applicable (if not applicable, please specify why) 2: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX

Challenges

12. What challenges did your organization face in its efforts to support the LDCs? These could include institutional or funding challenges for example. Please detail.

121 ANNEX 3: SURVEY ADMINISTERED TO UN RESIDENT COORDINATORS (RCs) IN THE 47 LDCs

United Nations System Support to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)–Resident Coordinators (RCs)’ consultation on how the United Nations System could best support the LDCs to advance SDG implementation

As the decade of implementation of the Istanbul Programme To complement and enrich this report, UN-OHRLLS would of Action (IPoA) for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like to hear from RCs in the 47 LDCs on how the UN system has entered its final year, the United Nations (UN) Office of can best support the LDCs to accelerate sustainable solu- the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, tions to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Devel- in line with the Decade of action for SDG implementation. oping States (UN-OHRLLS) has started preparations for the In this context, and in order to incorporate your valuable Fifth United UN Conference on the LDCs (LDC5) that will inputs into the report, we would appreciate to receive your take place in Doha, Qatar in 2021. responses to the short survey below by 23 June 2020 at the latest. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Nathalie In this regard, the Office is collaborating with the Inter-Agency Risse at [email protected] and Mr. Tomás González at Consultative Group on the implementation of the Istanbul [email protected] should you have any questions. Programme of Action for the LDCs (IACG) to prepare a report that identifies and analyzes UN system best practices We are grateful for the time dedicated to this survey, and are of support to the LDCs, with a view to strengthen coherence looking forward to receiving your important contributions. of action. This report will inform LDC5, and in particular a high-level event to be convened by the UN Secretary-General to ensure the full mobilization of the whole UN system in support of the LDCs (pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 74/232, paragraph 50).

122 Questions

The importance of the UN system as partner in the development process of the LDCs has been recognized by the IPoA, and by subsequent UN resolutions30 that called for enhanced support of the UN system to LDCs to overcome structural challenges that they face in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In order to clearly understand how the UN system can better support the LDCs on the ground to achieve sustainable 3: QUESTIONNAIREANNEX development progress, we would appreciate if you could answer the following two questions:

1. Based on your experience, what are the two most important challenges that affect UN system support to advance SDG implementation in the LDCs? Please elaborate on how these challenges affect UN support.

2. With a view to help the LDCs make progress on the SDGs, what concrete actions need to be taken to overcome these challenges? For each challenge mentioned in question 1, kindly suggest actions using the categories below. Indicate N/A when a category is not relevant.

a. Coordination

b. Resources (technical and financial or others)

c. Collaboration/engagement with officials and stakeholders at the national level

d. Other type(s) of action(s)–please specify

2.1. Please indicate which suggested action is the most urgent to implement.

123 UN.ORG/OHRLLS @ UNOHRLLS / UNOHRLLS

The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) serves 91 vulnerable Member States to achieve sustainable development and internationally agreed goals.

The Office mobilises international support and advocates in favour of the three vulnerable country groups, raising awareness about the economic, social and environmental potential that exists and ensuring that the pressing needs of the 1.1 billion people who live in them, remain high on the international agenda.

For more information go to un.org/ohrlls

Front cover: Expansion of the infrastructure in Zambia. Photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO